KMA cracks down on sanitation violators: Arrests 16 for environmental offenses

Authorities in Kumasi have arrested and prosecuted sixteen individuals for breaching environmental safety regulations, as part of renewed efforts by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to combat poor sanitation in the Ashanti Regional capital.

The crackdown, led by the KMA’s Environmental Health Unit, targeted residents in the central business district found guilty of various infractions, including allowing household waste to flow into public drains, maintaining overgrown and unkempt surroundings, and engaging in indiscriminate waste disposal.

Kumasi generates approximately 2,000 tons of solid waste daily, much of which ends up in drains and open spaces due to improper disposal practices. Head of the Environmental Health Unit, Kwaku Poku, emphasized the importance of strict enforcement, noting that all offenders had been arraigned before court, where fines were imposed as penalties.

The enforcement exercise also extended to food production sites failing to meet hygiene standards, including the Kumasi Abattoir. A joint task force from the KMA and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) inspected a viral ice kenkey factory at Adehy3 Market and shut it down due to unsanitary conditions.

Poku underscored the need for collaborative efforts to sustain the sanitation drive, revealing plans to strengthen supervision and monitoring of food markets and production facilities.

The KMA’s latest enforcement initiative signals a firm commitment to tackling poor sanitation and improving environmental conditions in Kumasi.