Unsafe Meat: Abattoir endangers health of consumers

The health of residents in Sunyani, Wenchi and Yeji, all in the Brong Ahafo Region, who consume meat from abattoirs is in danger as a result of the unhygienic conditions in the various abattoirs.

The Sunyani abattoir is currently operating under unhygienic and sub-standard conditions due to lack of amenities needed for good sanitary service.

The abattoir, located at the Nana Bosoma Market and which was constructed some years ago, has not seen any major rehabilitation over the years.

The place also lacks separate standard confinement required for roosting cows, goats and sheep before they are prepared for sale to the public.

The roosting is, therefore, carried out in the open on pieces of wood. The situation is appalling, with flies and scavengers hovering around for pieces of meat.

The stench that emanates from the faeces of the cows is unbearable. The situation is so deplorable that many residents have expressed the fear that an epidemic might soon break out in the municipality.

The construction of a new abattoir which started at Kootokrom, a suburb of the municipality, to relocate the butchers has not been completed after seven years.

Mr. Simon Opoku, the Sunyani Municipal Environmental Officer, in an interview with The Finder, revealed that the assembly is aware of the situation at the abattoir, but assures that there will be massive improvement in the coming weeks.

“Talking about the sanitary condition at the abattoir, we have realised it is not the best. Before I came here, a contract was signed with the Butcher’s Association to manage the sanitation aspect of the place while we oversee what goes on over there. We are working around the clock to ensure that the sanitation at the place improves,” Mr Opoku revealed.

A visit to Wenchi by The Finder revealed a similar situation at the town. Meat sellers at Wenchi are threatening to stop selling meat to the public if the authorities do not intervene immediately to get their meat shops renovated.

The place looks unkempt, with houseflies feasting everywhere. The chairman of the Wenchi Meat Sellers Association, Mamudu Amadu, said they cannot continue to sell unwholesome meat to their own people, and are, therefore, planning to stop selling meat to the public.

A building that was donated by the then Pioneer Tobacco Limited in 1992 to the Wenchi Traditional Council to be used as a meat shop has been locked up with the intention of renovating it.

This renovation plan, according to the meat sellers, started seven years ago and has not seen a single work on the structure.

The Yeji abattoir in the Pru District is also in a deplorable state and needs urgent attention. The residents of the town are calling on the district assembly as a matter of urgency to put the place in order to serve the residents and people who patronise the Yeji Market, which is one of the busiest in the region.