The newly commissioned Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A.) District Court has handed down its first conviction, sentencing a food vendor, Juliet Mettle, to a fine of 60 penalty units for breaching public health regulations.

Mettle was found guilty of cooking food for public consumption without ensuring medical screening for her staff and for preparing meals in an unsanitary, exposed public space.

The conviction was delivered on Tuesday, June 24, during the court’s inaugural sitting, following Mettle’s guilty plea to both charges. The fine, amounting to GH₵360 and to be served concurrently, comes with a default custodial sentence of three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Speaking to the media after the court session, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, described the case as a clear signal of the A.M.A.’s renewed determination to enforce sanitation and urban by-laws under its “Reset Accra” campaign.

“The establishment of this court was a personal priority for me since assuming office. It is a vital instrument for upholding order in our city,” he stated. “With the court now fully operational, residents must understand that violations of sanitation regulations and by-laws will no longer be overlooked. We are committed to restoring discipline in Accra, and this case sends a strong message that impunity will not be tolerated.”

The Mayor also highlighted the court’s role in sustaining the Assembly’s recent decongestion exercise, noting that it would be instrumental in prosecuting traders who operate beyond demarcated red lines and designated market areas.

Delivering an address on behalf of the Acting Chief Justice at the court’s commissioning, Supreme Court Justice His Lordship Imoro Tanko underscored the importance of the court in delivering swift justice for minor infractions that would otherwise overwhelm the higher courts.

“Minor offences such as traffic and sanitation violations often cause unnecessary delays and economic hardship for low-income residents. This court ensures justice remains both accessible and efficient,” he said.

Justice Tanko applauded the A.M.A. for its leadership in establishing the facility and urged all court users to respect and preserve the dignity of the institution.

Located within the A.M.A.’s City Hall premises, the new District Court is furnished with modern amenities including a typing pool, registrar’s office, magistrate’s chambers, docket room, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) office, and washrooms, all designed to meet contemporary judicial standards.

The court is expected to handle cases related to sanitation offences, traffic violations, public nuisance, and unauthorised developments, reinforcing the Assembly’s broader efforts to maintain order and cleanliness across the capital.