A District Court in Kumasi has sentenced a food vendor, Kande Seidu, to 20 days in prison for persistently violating safety regulations by using open fire at the bustling Alabar Market.
The sentence was handed down by District Court Two, sitting at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, and presided over by Her Worship Deborah Gyawa Donkor on Monday, March 16, 2026.
According to the prosecution, Kande Seidu, together with her sibling, Fati Seidu, had repeatedly ignored several warnings and abatement notices issued by the Environmental Health Unit of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA). The notices specifically cautioned against the use of open fire within the market, a practice considered hazardous and in breach of public safety regulations.
The court heard that on January 15, 2026, both Kande and Fati were formally summoned for contravening Sections 27 and 29 of the KMA Public Market By-Laws (2020), which prohibit activities that pose fire risks in public trading spaces.
During a subsequent court appearance on February 23, 2026, Kande reportedly left the courtroom before her case was called, citing delays in proceedings. Her sister, however, remained and pleaded guilty to the charges. Fati Seidu was consequently fined GH¢1,200, equivalent to 100 penalty units.
Kande’s failure to appear before the court led to the issuance of a bench warrant for her arrest. Upon her eventual apprehension and presentation before the court, she was handed the custodial sentence.
The ruling underscores the KMA’s intensified efforts to enforce compliance with market regulations, particularly those aimed at preventing fire outbreaks and ensuring the safety of traders and patrons in Kumasi’s major commercial centres.
