The Somanya Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr. Derek Ocloo, has convicted a fried yam vendor, Salamatu Mohammed, in Nkurakan, Yilo Krobo Municipality, Eastern Region, for selling food without medical clearance.
Salamatu was fined 50 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢ 600.
She pleaded guilty to the charge of selling food without undergoing medical examinations, violating Section 15 of the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly (General Sanitation) bye-law, 2022, which ensures food hygiene and safety in the municipality.
Mr. Martin Abotsi, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly Environmental Health Officer and Prosecutor, explained that the Assembly conducted a municipal-wide medical examination for food handlers from February 27th to April 6th, 2023.
This examination aimed to ensure food hygiene and safety in areas including Nkurakan.
In August 2023, they conducted a three-week mop-up exercise to include those missed earlier.
Despite being informed of these exercises, Salamatu willfully failed to participate. Due to her failure to comply with the bye-law, she was summoned to court and prosecuted.
Mr. Abotsi warned that , handling food without medical examinations poses a significant threat to public health, as the accused might unknowingly transmit diseases like typhoid, hepatitis A, and other food-borne illnesses to consumers, endangering the entire community.
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