Six people have been convicted for illegally dumping trash at Kumasi's Kejetia Roundabout. The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) apprehended the group during an early morning operation on Monday, 11 May 2026. This action followed ongoing complaints about the unsightly state of the city's central landmark.
The offenders admitted to breaking the assembly's rules on cleanliness. The Prempeh Assembly District Court ordered each person to pay a fine of 100 penalty units. This fine amounts to GHS 1,200 for each individual. The court warned that not paying the fine would lead to a 10-day jail sentence. Five of the convicted people paid their fines immediately. However, Ebenezer Atakorah could not pay and was sent to prison for 10 days.
This crackdown is part of the KMA's broader effort to improve the city's image. Kumasi, known as the Garden City, has struggled with waste management problems. Such incidents highlight the challenges faced by local authorities in enforcing environmental regulations. The KMA previously warned about continuing its strict enforcement of sanitation by-laws across all waste hotspots in the city. Residents and traders are urged to use official waste disposal locations.
Henrietta Aboagye, the KMA's Public Relations Officer, described the operation. She said the assembly's sanitation task force waited in ambush to catch those who regularly dumped waste. The arrests were made around 5:30 a.m. This is a time when offenders often believe they can avoid detection. Ms. Aboagye stressed that the KMA will not tolerate the "business as usual" approach to littering. The court applied the KMA sanitation by-laws strictly to deter others from similar actions.
The KMA is committed to restoring Kumasi's reputation. More enforcement operations are planned for other problem areas. The assembly is urging everyone to participate in keeping the city clean. Proper waste disposal is vital for public health and the city's appeal. The total fines collected from the five individuals amount to GHS 6,000. This case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for violating sanitation laws.