A 40-year-old woman has been banished for refusing to pay a fine imposed on her by the Edina Traditional Council.
According to a Daily Graphic newspaper publication, the victim, Margaret Akuvi Akoto has been asked to leave her village, Bantuma, a fishing community near Elmina in the Central region.
This was after Ms. Akoto who is a member of the Fishmongers Association defied the group’s decision to sell smoked fish on rational basis.
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The Association in March 2019 agreed that, members will regulate the supply of smoked fish from Bantuma to Keta and Denu markets in the Volta region to avoid glut.
But Margaret who was absent from that meeting defied the rules and was fined but refused to pay.
This incurred the wrath of the leadership of the Association who dragged her to the Omanhene of Edina Traditional Council, Nana Kodwo Condua VI.
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After listening to the two sides, Margaret was found guilty and was banished from the fishing community.
Not satisfied with the decision, Margaret Akuvi Akoto petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to intervene.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Thursday, the Komenda Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Director of CHRAJ, Richmond Mensah said they are making some headway.
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He stated that, it is obvious the fundamental human rights of Margaret has been infringed upon since the 1992 Constitution is superior to any traditional law.
The KEEA CHRAJ Boss said they have met with the Nana Kodwo Condua VI and has set May 30, 2019 for a meeting on the matter.
“The banishment can be overturned because the Constitution guarantee’s it. We are working closely with the traditional authorities to address the matter.
Mr. Mensah said Margaret pending the meeting is still in the town peacefully.
Source: Adomonline.com with additional files from Daily Graphic.
