The AMA Sanitation Court has convicted ten fishmongers and fined each of them 50 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢600, for drying anchovies on a road median within the metropolis.

The convicted persons are Charlotte Amoo, Mercy Tetteh, Regina Tettey, Mary Attah, Patience Vosa, Cecilia Clottey, Comfort Amarteifio, Naomi Quaye, Sophia Quaye and Abigail Ashie.

The offenders were arraigned before the court on February 10 after being arrested by the Assembly’s Environmental Health Officers during an enforcement exercise under the Clean Ghana Campaign. The operation was led by the Head of the Environmental Health Department, Florence Kuukyi.

The Head of Public Affairs, Mr Gilbert Nii Ankrah, who disclosed this, said nine of the convicted fishmongers complied with the court’s order and paid their fines. However, one of them, Sophia Quaye, failed to pay.

He further revealed that the court had issued seven bench warrants for the arrest of individuals who failed to appear in court in connection with the offence.

Mr Ankrah explained that on 4 February, two persons, Regina and Mary, were arrested during the operation and appeared before the Sanitation Court on February 5.

He said they pleaded guilty and informed the court that they were not the only individuals involved in the act.

According to him, the court directed them to identify others engaged in the practice, leading to the mention of 15 additional persons, out of whom eight appeared before the court.

Mr Ankrah stated that drying anchovies on road medians poses serious public health risks and undermines food safety standards in the metropolis.

He stressed that fish exposed to vehicle exhaust fumes, dust and heavy metals from traffic can easily become contaminated, increasing the risk of foodborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever and other gastrointestinal infections.

He emphasised that the AMA would continue to strictly enforce its sanitation regulations to deter unlawful practices and protect public health.

He also urged residents and traders to desist from using road medians and other unauthorised public spaces for commercial activities and to comply fully with the Assembly’s sanitation directives.