In a recent ruling at the Somanya Magistrate Court, Salamatu Mohammed, a fried yam vendor from Nkurakan in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, has been found guilty of selling food without the required medical clearance.
Presided over by Mr. Derek Ocloo, the court imposed a fine of 50 penalty units, amounting to GH₵ 600, on Salamatu.
She pleaded guilty to the charge, which stemmed from the violation of Section 15 of the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly (General Sanitation) bye-law of 2022, which mandates food vendors to undergo medical examinations to ensure food hygiene and safety.
According to Mr. Martin Abotsi, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly Environmental Health Officer and Prosecutor, the Assembly conducted a comprehensive medical examination for food handlers between February 27th and April 6th, 2023, covering Nkurakan and other areas within the municipality.
Despite repeated notifications, Salamatu failed to participate in the examination. Subsequently, in August 2023, a three-week mop-up exercise was carried out to include those who had been missed earlier.
Mr. Abotsi emphasized that non-compliance with the bye-law prompted legal action against the accused. He stressed the potential health hazards posed by selling food without undergoing medical checks, highlighting the risk of transmitting diseases such as typhoid and hepatitis A to consumers, thus endangering the entire community.
The conviction serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to regulations aimed at ensuring public health and safety, particularly in the food sector.
