A coconut seller, Prince Nyame, has been fined GH¢360 by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court for dumping coconut husks into a public drain behind Accra Academy at Bubuashie.

Nyame, who was convicted on Tuesday, July 25, 2026, was fined 30 penalty units by the court or, in default, will serve a three-month prison sentence.

He was arrested by officers of the AMA, with support from security personnel, after he was allegedly caught disposing of a large quantity of coconut husks into a drain along the Accra Academy wall, in breach of the AMA 2017 Sanitation By-laws.

The Head of Public Affairs of the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, who disclosed the development, said Nyame initially pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned before the Sanitation Court and was granted bail under conditions set by the court.

However, during a subsequent appearance, Mr Ankrah said the accused changed his plea from not guilty to guilty, leading the court to convict him on his own plea and impose the minimum sentence of 30 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢360, or three months’ imprisonment in default.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, described the indiscriminate disposal of coconut husks and other solid waste into drains as a major contributor to blocked drainage systems, flooding and poor sanitation in the city.

He noted that coconut sellers generate significant volumes of husks daily and must ensure that the waste is properly collected, stored and disposed of through approved waste management service providers.

The Mayor cautioned traders against using drains, road shoulders, pavements and other public spaces as dumping sites, stressing that such actions are offences under the Assembly’s sanitation regulations.

He added that the AMA would intensify surveillance and enforcement operations across the metropolis to identify and prosecute persons who dispose of waste at unauthorised locations.

Mr Allotey urged coconut sellers and other food vendors to provide appropriate waste containers at their trading points and make arrangements for regular evacuation of waste generated from their businesses.

He also appealed to residents to report incidents of indiscriminate dumping to the Assembly to support efforts to maintain a clean and safe Accra.
Source: Citi News