Chop bar operator fined GH¢2,400 for running facility without health license

Florence Mensah, a Chop Bar owner located in Tema’s heavy industrial area, has been fined GH¢2,400.00 by the Tema Community Centre District Court for running a restaurant without a Medical Health Licence. In the event of default, she will be sent to jail for one week. Florence pleaded guilty to three charges, including dumping refuse in a public drain, burning trash in an open area, and failing to obtain a medical health certificate, and was fined accordingly. She was penalised GH¢1,200.00 for the first count, GH¢1,800.00 for the second count, and GH¢2,400.00 for the third count, all of which are concurrent.

According to Saudatu Issaka, an Environmental Health Analyst who prosecuted the case, Environmental Health Officers who inspected Florence’s premises discovered that she had haphazardly disposed of and burned rubbish in the open. The officers also found some of the refuse in the stormwater drains. Florence and her three employees were unable to provide their medical health certificates, which were necessary for them to sell food to the public. When Florence was called to the scene, all of the issues were pointed out to her.

After a short health education, a notice of abetment was issued, ordering Florence and her two colleagues to stop dumping refuse in the drain, provide dust bins to store their waste, and obtain medical certificates for themselves and their employees within seven days. The prosecution stated that a re-inspection was carried out on October 10, 2022, and that while the other two people complied with the notification, Florence continued to burn trash in the open. As a result, she was charged with the offence.

–The Post Ghana