Twelve more sanitation offenders have been convicted by a court in Kumasi for illegally dumping waste at various locations across the city, as authorities intensify efforts to enforce sanitation by-laws.

The offenders were arraigned within 24 hours before the Prempeh Assembly District Court One, presided over by His Worship Kwaku Ansah Akrofi, on Tuesday (12 May).

They pleaded guilty to offences under Section 56(a and b) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), after being arrested by metro guards of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) during separate operations between 11 and 12 May.

The convicted persons are Janet Kyeremateng, 56; Benedicta Yaa Adongo, 43; Cloton Parker, 25; Janet Kwarteng, 48; Rebecca Addai Manu, 30; Augustina Botwe, 35; Enock Opoku, 35; Senyo Glah, 45; Patricia Anagbosa, 40; Esther Gyamfi, 40; and Victoria Antwi, 41.

The court fined each offender 100 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢1,200, or a 14-day jail term in default. They were also bound over to be of good behaviour for six months.

Kadija Dramani, 18, received a reduced sentence due to her age and status as a stranger in the city. She was fined 40 penalty units, equivalent to GHC480.

Presenting the facts, KMA Prosecutor Mr. Enock Nkansah told the court that the accused persons were arrested for illegally dumping refuse at the MTN Roundabout, Otumfuo Roundabout, WAEC area, and opposite the Kumasi Zoo.

The latest convictions come barely a day after another court in Kumasi fined six people for indiscriminate dumping of refuse at the Otumfuo Roundabout.

The six — Atta Gyamfi, 55; Memuna Ishawu, 24; Maako Veronica, 31; Mariama Iddrisu, 64; Kwadwo Amuzu, 37; and Ebenezer Attakorah, 25 — were arrested around 5:30 a.m. during an early morning surveillance operation by KMA metro guards.

They appeared before the Prempeh Assembly Hall Court 2, presided over by Her Worship Deborah Agyeiwaa Donkor, where they also pleaded guilty to sanitation-related offences.

Each was fined 100 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢1,200. Five of the convicts paid their fines, while Ebenezer Attakorah reportedly failed to settle his penalty and was consequently handed a 10-day prison sentence.

KMA Public Relations Officer Henrietta Konadu said the arrests formed part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal dumping and improve sanitation in the Ashanti Regional capital.

City authorities have repeatedly warned residents against indiscriminate disposal of waste in public spaces and along major roads as enforcement of sanitation regulations is stepped up.