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Court convicts 7 for open defecation, dumping of refuse
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court has convicted seven (7) persons for engaging in open defecation and dumping refuse at unauthorised places within the metropolis.
Those convicted are Albert Quaye, Kwame Owusu Ansah, Daniel Nunoo, Razak Siedu, Haruna Abdul Rauf, Desmond Okeyika, and Moro Sebere.
The court, presided over by Her Lordship Rosemond Vera Aryeetey, found each of the offenders guilty and fined 50 penalty units, equivalent to GH₵600, or in default, will serve three months imprisonment.
According to the prosecutor, Nii Okine Aryee the convicts were arrested by Public Health Officers of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), led by Madam Florence Kuukyi, during a special enforcement operation on 7th October 2025.
Speaking after the judgement, the Head of Public Affairs of the AMA, Mr Gilbert Nii Ankrah, explained that the offenders were apprehended while “busily engaged in open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” acts he described as not only offensive to the city’s sanitation bye-laws but also dangerous to public health.
He noted that such practices contribute to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and other diarrheal infections that continue to threaten the well-being of residents.
Mr Ankrah indicated that the Assembly had re-strategized its approach under the “Reset Accra” agenda, intensifying surveillance and enforcement to ensure strict compliance with sanitation regulations.
“This is only the beginning,” he said, revealing that more offenders had already been arrested and were being arraigned before the court.
He said “With the right support and cooperation from the public, we will sustain enforcement until Accra becomes the clean and healthy city we all desire.”
He called on residents to desist from acts that undermine the city’s cleanliness efforts and support the ongoing ‘Clean Accra Now’ campaign to rid the capital of filth.
By: AMA PRO, Gilbert Ankrah
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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