Tamale District Court issues bench warrant for arrest of restaurant, drinking spot and hotel operators

A Tamale District Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of two restaurant operators who failed to appear before the court to answer charges related to sanitation offences.

Six establishments, including four food vendors, a hotel and a Drinking Spot were summoned to court over alleged breaches of the Public Health Act. Four of the accused appeared, while the remaining two neither showed up nor notified the court of their absence.

Presiding Judge, His Lordship Stephen, accordingly issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the two absentees. All the suspects according to prosecution operate within the Fou–SSNIT Flats enclave and are expected to reappear in court on November 25, 2025.

Presenting the facts of the case, Tamale Metro Prosecution Officer, Nurudeen Nuorfaa Suoseg, told the court that the suspects had been charged with preparing and serving food to the public without proper certification, contrary to the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).

The Act prohibits the preparation and sale of food in filthy environments, including areas with stagnant water or poor sanitation.

They were further charged for failing to comply with lawful orders under Section 44(a) of the same Act.

According to the prosecution, environmental health officers had earlier visited the business locations and cautioned the operators against working without health fitness certification, an essential requirement to ensure food handlers are medically screened and free from conditions such as hepatitis B and typhoid.

Mr. Suoseg emphasized that the intention of the authorities is not to harass food vendors but to enforce public health standards designed to protect the public from consuming unwholesome food.

He also disclosed that more food vendors within the Tamale Metropolis will soon be served with court summons for similar offences.