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29.01.2009 Regional News

Tamale To Arrest Animals

By Daily Guide
Tamale To Arrest Animals
29.01.2009 LISTEN

Animals feeding on over-flown waste THE WASTE Management Department (WMD) of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has announced its intention to arrest stray animals and impose heavy fines on their owners as a measure for ridding the city of filth.

Stray animals, according to the assembly, in recent times have taken over most ceremonial streets of the metropolis defecating anywhere and causing needless accidents.  

The authorities have therefore warned that more drastic measures would be taken against owners of such animals who have constantly failed to comply with directives of the assembly.

The Metropolitan Director of the WMD, Mr. Sampson Akwettey, who disclosed this to the media in Tamale, said despite earlier fines of GH¢20 on the owners for each animal arrested, the situation seemed to have even assumed an alarming proportion, implying that the fines were not deterring enough.  

He hinted that more strict measures, including the forfeiting of the animals arrested, would be taken against such recalcitrant animal owners.

He suggested that animals arrested could either be donated to the orphanages to feed inmates or given to some government agencies.  

Mr. Akwettey said his outfit had already liaised with the Progressive Traders Association (PTA) in the city, members of the GPRTU and the traditional authorities to organise routine massive clean-up exercises, disclosing that several heaps of uncollected waste were being collected.  

He however expressed worry that in the wake of these positive interventions some residents still resorted to defecating in the open which is likely to bring about diseases associated with filth, warning that such persons could face serious sanctions including public ridicule if they did not stop the practice immediately.  

The Metropolitan Director, Mr. A.M. Baba called for a collaborative effort among the media, the assembly and the general public in cleaning the city.

He noted that reports of hygiene-related diseases tend to increase during the rainy season, and said this was a clarion call to all stakeholders to help curb the menace.

He also appealed to the central government to assist with funds to enable the assembly embark on its clean-up exercise on regular basis.

From Stephen Zoure, Tamale

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