Driver convicted for hunting

Ten pig farmers convicted for misdeeds of swine

Apam (Central Region), 26^th April ‘99 –

The Gomoa District tribunal last Friday imposed a fine of 200,000 cedis on Gibrine Quarshie, a 24-year old driver from Accra for engaging in group hunting which has been banned by the authorities.

Mr Kwaku Aboagye, Chairman of the tribunal also bonded Gibrine to be of good behaviour for 24 months for undertaking an act likely to destroy the vegetation and pose danger to animals regarded as ‘protected’ under the law.

Passing judgement Mr Aboagye said group hunting has been banned because of its destructive nature to both animals and human beings. Anybody caught in that is treated as an enemy to nature.

Gibrine, was accused of group hunting with about 20 othersm now at large in the forest of Gomoa, contrary to the law.

Upon a tip-off, the district chief executive dispatches police personnel who were unable to arrest the hunters because of the sophisticated equipment they were used.

The Police however impounded a Mazda mini bus on which the group travelled from Accra.

Gibrine who pleased guilty, was arrested when he tried to claim the bus.

The tribunal ordered that the vehicle should be released to the owner.

Nkoranza (Brong Ahafo) 26 April ’99

For allowing their pigs to pollute the only source of drinking water in the Ayerede area in the Nkoranza district, the community tribunal has imposed a total fine of 300,000 cedis on 10 pig farmers.

In default, each of the accused persons would serve a prison term of three months in hard labour.

The accused persons were brought to the tribunal for refusing to abide by advice from health authorities to raise pens for their animals within two weeks.

The prosecution complained about how cattle, sheep and goats are left unattended in the communities.