AMA warns against meat from unapproved slaughter houses

Accra (Greater Accra), 5 March, '99 -

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Wednesday appealed to the public to stop patronising meat from 'unapproved sites', saying most of it is unwholesome. Mr Samuel Adokwei Addo, Chief Executive, said it has come to the notice of the assembly that most of the animals slaughtered at unapproved sites do not go through the routine animal health inspection. "This is because the butchers have the conviction that the animals would be confiscated on health grounds, if sent to approved slaughter houses, so they prefer to do it themselves." Mr Addo who was addressing the second day of AMA's general sessional meeting in Accra said "no health inspector will give a pass for the slaughter of a pregnant animal or one that appears to be very weak." Mr Addo called on "chop bar" operators, who mostly patronise such meat, to stop since this could lead to an epidemic. Touching on permits for temporary structures, he said the assembly agreed that the issuance of such permits be suspended with immediate effect. Permits for temporary structures already issued would last for at most six months after which they would not be renewed. Mr Addo said the assembly has been forced to take such measures, because the issuance of such permits is now causing problems for it. He cited the case of Agbobloshie where, he said, settlers have turned the place into a township, thus impeding the implementation of the Korle Lagoon Reclamation Project.