KMA Shuts Down Ice Kenkey Factory, Arrests 16 Over Environmental Violations

Kumasi, Ghana - 25 Feb, 2025 - In a bid to tackle the growing problem of insanitary conditions in Kumasi, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has arrested and prosecuted 16 individuals for violating environmental safety bye-laws.

The offenders, residents of the central business district, were found guilty of various violations, including allowing household filth to flow into public drains, keeping weedy and unkempt environments, and indiscriminate dumping of waste.

The arrests follow a recent enforcement sweep by the KMA, which aims to combat the rampant insanitary conditions and activities in the Ashanti Regional capital.

Head of the Environmental Health Unit at the KMA, Kwaku Poku, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to effectively combat the menace in an interview with Luv FM. 

“We have arrested 16 people who flouted environmental safety bye-laws,” he stated. “We are rightly enforcing the laws, arresting those who have flouted various environmental and sanitation regulations. Some had homes in the Central Business District, and they have allowed their filth to flow into the public drains, others had dumped indiscriminately'' he stated.

“They were arraigned before court for failing to make an appearance. In terms of enforcement, I believe we have made strides towards it, I assumed my role barely three months ago, and I am prepared to tackle the filth in the city.''

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) jointly inspected an ice kenkey factory at Adehy3 Market, which went viral, and subsequently shut it down due to unsanitary conditions, according to Mr. Poku.

According to him, the facility's closure is part of the KMA's efforts to develop a strategy for regular market monitoring and filth removal.

“We are in talks with Kumasi Abattoir to arrest stray cattle on our streets. I led the team of KMA and FDA staff to the ice kenkey factory at Adehy3 Market and asked them to cease operation. We have closed the facility.

“We have a weak supervision regime when it comes to policing food-producing facilities and markets. We are collaborating with the FDA to strategize on how to routinely monitor our markets and rid them of filth,” he added.

Kumasi generates approximately 2,000 tons of solid waste daily, with much of it ending up in drains and open spaces due to inadequate disposal practices. The KMA's efforts to enforce environmental safety bye-laws are a step towards addressing this issue and promoting a cleaner, healthier environment for residents.

Source: Lead News Online