Today’s #FridayRead looks at environmental sanitation under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851)
In order to regulate sanitation in the environment or public place, the Act prohibits the carrying out of business in noxious or offensive trade. A business or trade is noxious or offensive if it:
- impairs or endangers the health of the public inhabiting or using a neighbourhood;
- causes damage to the lands, crops, cattle, or goods;
- causes material interruption to the public in their lawful businesses or occupation;
- materially affects the value of people’s properties;
- Pollutes or fouls the water of a well, tank, spring, reservoir, or place used or intended to be used for the supply of water for human or animal consumption.
It is interesting to note that the carrying out of a noxious or offensive business is an offence punishable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than GHC 9,000.00 or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three years. It is worthy to note that for each day that the offence continues or is repeated, it is punishable by both the fine and the term of imprisonment stated above.