Coconut Seller Fined GH¢360 for Dumping Husks into Accra Drain
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 was convicted on Tuesday, July 25, 2026, after being found guilty of breaching the AMA 2017 Sanitation By-laws. The court imposed a fine of 30 penalty units, amounting to GH¢360, or three months in prison if he fails to pay.
He was arrested by AMA officials, with help from security personnel, after he was allegedly caught throwing a large quantity of coconut husks into a drain along the Accra Academy wall.
AMA Head of Public Affairs Gilbert Nii Ankrah said Nyame first pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the Sanitation Court and was granted bail under conditions set by the court.
At a later hearing, however, he changed his plea to guilty. The court then convicted him on his own admission and handed down the minimum sentence.
Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey described the dumping of coconut husks and other solid waste into drains as a major cause of blocked drainage systems, flooding and poor sanitation in the capital.
He noted that coconut sellers produce large amounts of waste every day and must ensure proper collection, storage and disposal through approved waste management providers.
The Mayor warned traders against using drains, pavements, road shoulders and other public spaces as dumping sites, stressing that such acts are offences under the Assembly’s sanitation rules.
He said the AMA would step up monitoring and enforcement across the metropolis to identify and prosecute anyone who dumps waste in unauthorised places.
Mr Allotey urged coconut sellers and other food vendors to keep suitable waste containers at their trading spots and arrange regular collection of the waste generated by their businesses.
He also called on residents to report cases of indiscriminate dumping to the Assembly to help keep Accra clean and healthy.
