Sakaman residents want AMA to prevent environmental pollution

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA- Residents of Sakaman, Accra, in the Ablekuma North District of the Greater Accra Region, have called on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), to stop butchers operating in the area from creating environmental pollution.

They said some butchers in the area used burning tyres in the preparation of slaughtered animals for sale to the public, polluting the air and creating health hazard for the people. Mr. Kofi Badu Boachie, spokesman for the residents, made the call at a meeting with butchers from the area and officials of the Public Health Department of AMA, in Accra at the weekend. He urged AMA to stringently enforce its environmental bye laws to bring sanity to the area.

Mr. Boachie called on the residents to support AMA in its efforts at ensuring sound sanitary practices and clean and safe environment. Alhaji Sofo Zakari, the National Chief Butcher, expressed regret that inspite of efforts by the National Association of Butchers to stop their members from using burning tyres in the preparation of slaughtered animals, most of the butchers continued to engage in the practice. He asked butchers to observe rules and regulations on the preparation of slaughtered animals and said the recalcitrant butchers would be arrest and prosecution.

Mr. James Aryeetey, Director of Public Health Department of AMA, said the assembly would intensify its education on sanitation and factors that militated against the development of the metropolis. He said AMA alone could not tackle the enormous environmental issues and called on the people to initiate measures to assist in solving the problems. 22 Oct. 07