KMA ‘Samansaman’ Crackdown: 13 Arrested and Prosecuted Over Poor Sanitation in Kumasi Homes

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has intensified its campaign against poor sanitation, arresting and prosecuting 13 individuals for various sanitation-related offences during a renewed enforcement exercise popularly known as “Samansaman.”

The operation, aimed at restoring cleanliness and enforcing environmental sanitation laws, targeted homes, shops, churches and hospitality facilities in the Dichemso suburb of Kumasi.

Residents were caught off guard as the KMA sanitation enforcement task force—comprising environmental health officers and military personnel—conducted inspections across the community to assess sanitary conditions and ensure compliance with public health regulations.

During the operation, officials discovered heaps of waste in several residential compounds, while gutters in parts of the community were found heavily clogged with plastics, silt and other debris, obstructing the free flow of wastewater and increasing the risk of flooding and disease outbreaks.

While some residents complied with instructions to immediately clean their surroundings, others resisted the exercise, leading to confrontations with the enforcement team.

One notable arrest occurred at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints premises in Dichemso, where the church administrator was apprehended over the poor sanitary condition of the facility.

Explaining the incident, KMA Public Relations Officer, Henrietta Afia Konadu Aboagye, said the enforcement team initially attempted to engage the church authorities peacefully.

“When we arrived, we observed that the frontage of the premises was in an unsanitary state. The Chief Inspector informed the administrator that she would have to accompany us to court as part of the sanitation enforcement exercise.

“She declined, insisting she wanted to contact her superior, but the person never showed up. Even after a second attempt by another team to persuade her, she still refused to comply, leaving us with no option but to escort her forcefully so that the matter could be addressed in court,” she explained.

Environmental Health Officer for KMA, Kwaku Poku, said the exercise forms part of the Assembly’s broader strategy to restore Kumasi’s reputation as Ghana’s renowned Garden City through strict enforcement of sanitation regulations.

He stressed that the “Samansaman” initiative is not a one-off exercise but a long-term intervention designed to instill a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility among residents.

“The exercise will continue throughout the existence of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. We want sanitation to become a way of life for everyone in Kumasi,” he stated.

The 13 suspects were subsequently arraigned before the KMA Court to face charges related to environmental sanitation offences, as the Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring cleaner communities and protecting public health through sustained enforcement.