The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region has arrested 25 children of school going age who were seen selling in markets in the municipality.
Majority of them were selling sachet water, handkerchiefs, oranges and other commodities in the various markets.
The children were being exposed to the deadly coronavirus, flouting the President’s directives to close down schools to enable the children stay safe at home.
The president has imposed ban on public gatherings like conferences, festivals, political rallies, church services, Islamic worship and schools since Monday, March 16, 2020.
Per the ban, students and pupils are not to converge in their schools in order not to contract the coronavirus.
But some parents in the Ashaiman Municipality have taken advantage of the stay at home policy to engage their children in various activities in the markets.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Albert Boakye Okyere, who made the revelation on Onua TV’s Maakye, said the children, after their arrest, were detained at the Municipal Police Command for hours for investigation to go on.
He said their parents were then invited by the Municipal police command and were warned not to allow their wards to sell in the market but rather stay at home and learn.
He explained that the fact that the President has ordered the closure of schools does not mean parents and guardians should take advantage of it and send the children to markets to sell.
The MCE said the arrest was done during a routine operation with the police and taskforce as part of measures to ensure compliance of the President’s directives.
Parents were warned of possible prosecution should their wards be seen selling in the markets of Ashaiman again.
Asked when the Assembly would embark on the next exercise, Mr. Okyere said they prefer to embark on the exercise unannounced.
By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|3news.com|Ghana