La-Dadekotopon MP appeals to gov't to introduce strict liability law 


The Member of Parliament for La-Dadekotopon, Nii Amasa Namoale has appealed to the government to introduce a Legislative Instrument, LI or a strict liability law that will allow for the immediate arrest and prosecution of persons who do not comply with the National sanitation day directive. 

He said the introduction and strict implementation of the law will also deter Ghanaians from disposing off refuse at unauthorised places. 

Nii Amasa Namoale said this when he joined the La-Dadekotopon Municipal Chief Executive and some residents of La in the third edition of the National Sanitation day. 

The National Sanitation Day which is a nationwide initiative seeks to encourage Ghanaians to always keep a clean environment. It is also to rekindle the spirit of communal labour in them. 

The clean up which begun at about 7am saw the Member of Parliament for La, Nii Amasa Namoale, the La-Dadekotopon Municipal Chief Executive, Rita Odoley Sowah and staff of the Assembly participate in the close to five hour exercise. Although most shops were closed the people did not join in the clean up as others looked on unconcerned.
 
The third national sanitation day exercise saw the Assembly and some residents mainly desilt storm drains which have almost become dumping sites. 

GBC's Obonu News observed that some residents in the La-Agyeman area have channelled their septic tanks into the storm drains. 

Nii Amasa Namoale noted that introduction and implementation of the law will enable the government realise the aim for the National sanitation day.

Nii Namoale said should the strict liability law be introduced, the Assembly must form a brigade to arrest all persons who do not participate in the sanitation day exercise. He also encouraged the people of La to form a watch dog to strictly monitor people who dispose refuse and defecate in drains. 

The Municipal Chief Executive for La-Dadekotopon, Rita Odoley Sowah said the Assembly will begun an inspection of all households to identify, arrest and prosecute persons who have channelled their toilets into the drains. 

Ms.Sowah who lamented over Ghanaians attitude towards the environment said it was about time persons are arrested and punished on the spot to serve as deterrent to other.

Sowah mentioned that the Assembly will soon award Assembly Members who always ensure that their electoral areas are clean.

Meanwhile a joint effort between the Environmental Health directorate of the La-Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly and the Police has led to the arrest of 20 residents for open defecation. Two other persons were arrested for obstruction. 

The victims were arrested at African lake, La cemetery, Wizard Park, and the La beach close to the Art gallery. They have been arraigned before court and are to pay a fine of 180 Ghana Cedis each. Failure to do so, they will have to serve a prison term. Ms. Rita Odoley Sowah is the Municipal Chief Executive for LADMA.

GBC