Ashanti Region: Two farmers fined for keeping cattle in residential neighbourhood

A district court at Toase in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality has imposed fines on two farmers for keeping cattle within a residential enclave—an offence deemed hazardous to public health.

Haruna Ibrahim and Musah Dawuda each received a GH₵1,200 penalty after pleading guilty to operating an “obnoxious trade” under Section 54(a) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851). Failure to pay will result in a one-month custodial sentence.

Presiding magistrate Robert Addo further directed the two men to remove their animals from the area within a month.

Narrating events before the court, Prosper Argum, Environmental Health Analyst for the municipality, said the case originated from a complaint lodged with the Environmental Health Department on 17 October 2025.

Officers dispatched to Atwima-Agogo-Abease found cattle being kept in the neighbourhood, confirming the concerns of residents. The inspection team concluded that the activity posed a significant health risk.

Mr Argum told the court that keeping cattle in a residential zone exposes inhabitants to:

Zoonotic disease transmission,

Infestations from flies, rodents and other vectors,

Runoff contamination during rainfall, which often washes cow dung into surrounding homes,

Persistent offensive odours and general environmental nuisance.

He said the two farmers admitted the offence when officials discussed the risks with them. After further investigations, they were charged and brought before the court.

The ruling forms part of ongoing efforts by municipal authorities to clamp down on unsanitary practices in fast-growing communities within the municipality.