Toase, Ashanti Region—Two farmers, Haruna Ibrahim and Musah Dawuda, have been convicted and fined GH₵ 1,200 each by the Toase District Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality for rearing cattle in a residential area.
The farmers pleaded guilty to the charge of engaging in an “obnoxious trade,” specifically rearing animals in a residential area, which violates Section 54(a) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851). Presiding over the court, Robert Addo, convicted the pair on their own plea, stipulating a one-month jail term for each in default of the fine. Crucially, the court also ordered the convicts to relocate their animals within one month.
Public Health Threat
The prosecution, led by Prosper Argum, the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Environmental Health Analyst, detailed the severe public health risks posed by the activity in the Atwima-Agogo-Abease community.
Mr. Argum explained that rearing cattle in a residential zone facilitates the transmission of zoonotic diseases and attracts disease-carrying vectors, such as flies and rodents, constituting a direct threat to residents.
Furthermore, the environmental health concerns included:
- Unsanitary conditions caused by cow dung runoff washing into people’s homes during rainfall.
- The creation of offensive odours and general environmental nuisance.
The charges were brought after the Municipal Environmental Health Department received a complaint on October 17, 2025, prompting an inspection that confirmed the public health infractions. Both farmers admitted to the offense following the initial findings.
