The Suhum District Magistrate's Court, presided by Ms A. E. Kokuvie-Tay, on Wednesday, sentenced a habitual communal labour defaulter to a fine of GHC 50 or in default three months imprisonment in hard labour.
Gabriel Larweh Israel, the convict, who was charged with failing to attend communal labour, pleaded guilty and explained his action but the
magistrate said his reasons were not acceptable to the court.
Mr Billo Shacco, Principal Environmental Officer, prosecuting, told the court that Israel, a farmer, lived at Akote, near Nankese.
He said on April 18, communal labour was organized in the community towards the construction of a clinic.
The prosecutor said even though a gong-gong was beaten and members of the community took part in the communal labour, the convict refused to do
so.
He was, therefore, summoned to appear before the chief and members of the unit committee but he refused to heed the summons so a report was made to the Police and Israel was arrested and charged with the offence.