The Dormaa Circuit Court has imposed a fine of GH¢360 on Master Willie, a carpenter at Dormaa-Ahenkro, for living in filth and obstructing sanitation officers from carrying out their lawful functions.
Master Willie, who pleaded guilty, was convicted on his own plea and will serve six months in prison if he failed to pay the fine.
A Principal Environmental Health Officer, Mr Bukari Alhassan, told the court presided by Mr Alexander Osei Tutu that environmental officers went on routine inspection on March 17 this year purposely to detect and abate nuisance.
He said upon reaching the “Awurade Na Aye” furniture shop, which belongs to the convict, the team detected a heap of refuse ostensibly generated from operations at the shop and dumped close to where the carpenter and his apprentices worked at the Dormaa-Ahenkro main market.
Prosecution stated that the carpenter upon interrogation by the team flared up and ordered the staff to quit his shop immediately.
“As if that order was not enough the carpenter insolently called them villagers and irresponsible adults walking in the heat of the scorching sun for nothing,” the prosecutor said.
Mr Alhassan told the court that the enraged carpenter vowed never to allow any of his relatives to do the kind of job performed by members of the inspection team.