Two persons have been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour for illegally dumping refuse at the Accra Post Office area.

The convicts, Albert Okai and Amoako Darko, pleaded guilty to the offence. They were each fined 50 penalty units (GH¢600) and, upon failing to pay, were sentenced to serve their jail terms at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

A third accused person, Michael Osei, was reported to have pleaded not guilty and has been remanded into custody for one week to reappear in court for the continuation of the case.

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, speaking after the judgment, said the convictions formed part of ongoing enforcement measures to clamp down on indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the city. He indicated that the case highlights the consequences awaiting offenders who flout the Assembly’s sanitation by-laws, stressing that strict enforcement is intended to safeguard public health and maintain a clean environment.

He further announced plans to introduce a 24-hour cleaning initiative to address the city’s sanitation challenges, adding that anyone found littering within the metropolis would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He urged residents, traders and visitors in the city to comply with sanitation by-laws, use designated bins and authorised collection services, avoid open dumping and littering, support community clean-up activities, and promptly report offenders to the Assembly’s task force to help keep Accra clean.