Butchers in Kumasi have resorted to slaughtering animals in the open, in unsanitary conditions, following a stand-off with managers of the abattoir over new fees.

Management of the Kumasi Abattoir locked up the main slaughter house to compel the butchers to pay the new slaughter fees, but they (butchers) have remained adamant and have begun slaughtering in the open, raising meat safety concerns.

Class News’ Ashanti regional correspondent, Hafiz Tijani, reported that management said the increase in fees has become necessary following the increase in tariffs. It is also meant to help fund the face-lifting of the abattoir.

According to Hafiz, management of the abattoir agreed on the GHS5 increase after a meeting with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) two months ago and had issued notices to that effect.

As a result of the increase, butchers were to pay GHS30 per slaughter instead of the GHS25, and GHS50 for non-butchers, who were paying GHS45 per slaughter.

According to him, although there were notices of the increases all over the abattoir, the butchers insisted they were unaware of the fresh charges and would continue to slaughter outside until the increases were scrapped.