Assembly Bans Use Of Passenger Vehicles For Transporting Corpse

The West Akyem Municipal Assembly has passed a bye-law banning the use of passenger vehicles for transporting dead bodies to and from hospital mortuaries.

To this effect, vehicles, including taxi cabs found indulging in such brisk and risky businesses would be handled with the stern arms of the law.

The bye-law therefore  permits only ambulances and hearses for movement of dead bodies and drivers who breach that provision are liable on conviction to a fine of between 20 to 30 penalty units, which is equivalent to between GH¢ 240.00 to GH¢ 360.00.

This unusual practice which has for a long time gone unchecked, constitutes a public nuisance as it may be a conduit for the transmission of some infectious diseases.

Most drivers who indulge in this practice are usually oblivious of the health risk—fluids from corpses may seep into the seats and the consequences to the unlooking passenger may be grievous.

The Assembly amongst other things has also passed another bye-law which prohibits the use of lorry tyres in the processing of meat for sale by butchers and slaughter houses in the Municipality.

Any butcher who breaches the bye-law will be liable on conviction to a fine of between 50 and 100 penalty units (GH¢ 600 – GH¢ 1200) or in default imprisonment to a term not exceeding six months or both.

As part of plans to ensure that the Assembly is safe and conducive for its inhabitants, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Seth Oduro, said over 200 street lights had been provided to improve visibility in the areas and subsequently to reduce crime at night.

Apart for that, the assembly had procures

“The fixing and replacement of all faulty street lights will soon be replicated in all the major towns in the Municipality,” he said.

Health Desk Report