A Hohoe Magistrate Court has fined a barber, Ekpane Seyram, GH¢600 for illegally dumping refuse into a public drain in the Hohoe Municipality.
Ekpane Seyram pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted on his own plea. The court, presided over by relieving judge Lambert Y. Keriba, ruled that he would pay a fine of GH¢600 or serve two months in prison if he failed to pay.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on Monday, July 27, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., when Seyram was allegedly caught dumping rubbish into a public drain near the Konuvie Plaza area.
Environmental Health Analyst Daniel Dotse Eklo, who prosecuted the case, told the court that the act was captured on video and later shared on Facebook. The footage subsequently attracted the attention of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the Environmental Health Office.
Mr Eklo said an investigation by the Environmental Health Unit, in collaboration with the MCE, led to the arrest of the accused on Wednesday, July 29, at about 10:30 a.m.
During interrogation, Seyram reportedly admitted responsibility and explained that he had collected the refuse from around a drinking bar where he was staying near the Konuvie area before dumping it into the public drain.
The prosecution further disclosed that the Hohoe Municipal Assembly had provided skip containers at strategic locations across the municipality to facilitate proper waste disposal.
Mr Eklo explained that the Konuvie area is located behind the Total Fuel Station near the station traffic light, approximately 150 metres from the Low Cost and Market area container site.
The prosecution described the illegal dumping of refuse as harmful to public health and the environment, warning that such practices could block drainage systems, increase the risk of flooding and contribute to the spread of diseases.
The court’s decision highlights the growing enforcement of sanitation regulations in Ghana as local authorities intensify efforts to combat illegal waste disposal and maintain clean communities.
Source: newsthemegh.com