The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court has convicted 10 fishmongers for drying anchovies on a road median within the metropolis, imposing fines of 50 penalty units each, equivalent to GH¢600.
The convicted individuals are Charlotte Amoo, Mercy Tetteh, Regina Tettey, Mary Attah, Patience Vosa, Cecilia Clottey, Comfort Amarteifio, Naomi Quaye, Sophia Quaye and Abigail Ashie.
The offenders were arraigned before the court on February 10, 2026, following their arrest by Environmental Health Officers during an enforcement exercise under the Clean Ghana Campaign.
The operation was led by the Head of the Environmental Health Department, Madam Florence Kuukyi.
Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, disclosed that nine of the convicted fishmongers complied with the court’s directive and paid their fines, while one, Sophia Quaye, failed to settle the penalty.
He further revealed that the court has issued seven bench warrants for the arrest of other individuals who failed to appear before the court in connection with the offence.
According to Mr Ankrah, the enforcement exercise began on February 4, when two offenders, Regina Tettey and Mary Attah, were arrested and subsequently arraigned before the Sanitation Court on February 5.
“The court directed them to identify the others engaged in the act, which led to the mention of 15 additional persons. Out of these, eight appeared before the court and were convicted,” he said.
He stressed that drying anchovies on road medians poses serious public health risks and undermines food safety standards in the city.
Mr Ankrah explained that fish exposed to vehicle exhaust fumes, dust and heavy metals from traffic can easily become contaminated, increasing the risk of foodborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever and other gastrointestinal infections.
The AMA reiterated its commitment to enforcing sanitation laws and urged residents and food vendors to comply with public health regulations to ensure food safety and protect public health.