A court in Kumasi tasked with enforcing sanitation regulations has come under public scrutiny after its public urinal was found in a dilapidated and unhygienic condition, raising questions about the consistency of the city’s renewed sanitation campaign.

The development comes shortly after the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) launched its sanitation summons initiative, popularly known as samansaman, aimed at prosecuting individuals and institutions accused of violating sanitation laws.

However, the poor state of the court’s urinal has triggered concerns among some residents and court users, who question whether an institution enforcing sanitation compliance should itself operate with inadequate hygiene facilities.

The makeshift urinal, built with concrete blocks, was found littered with stagnant urine and lacking basic sanitary features. The facility also emits a strong stench, affecting the immediate surroundings.

Some court users, who spoke off record, described the condition as unpleasant and unhygienic, and called for urgent improvements to the facility.

Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly officials have acknowledged the challenge and say steps are being taken to address the situation.

The Metro Environmental Health Officer, Kwaku Poku, said the Kumasi Mayor has committed to constructing a modern washroom facility for the court.

“We have been here, myself, the Coordinating Director and the Mayor. The Mayor has promised to build a washroom for the court,” Mr Poku said.

“I was here when the engineer came to take the measurements, so in the next few weeks the Mayor has promised to fix the washrooms from his own pocket.”

The situation comes as the KMA intensifies enforcement against individuals and institutions accused of maintaining insanitary conditions.

The Assembly has in recent days embarked on a crackdown targeting homes and other facilities considered to be violating sanitation regulations.

Following the enforcement exercise, at least 12 people were arrested, with 10 subsequently convicted while two cases remain pending before the court.

KMA Public Relations Officer, Henrietta Konadu Aboagye, said nine offenders were each fined 100 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢1,200, while two others were fined 140 penalty units.

She added that persons unable to pay the fines would serve 10-day custodial sentences.

One institution that was cited pleaded not guilty, and the case has been adjourned to July 13.

The development has renewed debate over the need for sanitation enforcement agencies and institutions to ensure their own facilities meet the standards they seek to impose on the public.