Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGED) has pledged the Ministry’s commitment to assist butchers to rehabilitate and expand abattoirs throughout the country.
He said: “This is the only way to make their business more attractive, safe and modernise their work.”
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the pledge at a meeting with the Executives of National Co-operative Butchers and Small Scale Livestock Owners Association in Accra.
A release issued by the Ministry said the meeting was attended by representatives from the regions held discussions concerning challenges facing their operations, the deplorable state of abattoirs in the country and the need to inculcate improved work practices in their operations, as well as educational programmes to train members on hygienic practices.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo urged the executives to team up with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to help improve conditions of the abattoirs and provide basic facilities for their operations.
He commended them for their effort to register members and provide them with identity cards for easy identification.
He advised the butchers to refrain from using lorry tyres in their operations because it was harmful to human consumption, adding: “This is the time you have to seek expert advice from Veterinary Officers to enhance abattoir operations in the country.”
Alhaji Zakari Sofo, National President of the Association and Chief Butcher of Greater Accra Region and Alhaji Issifu Tankwa, General Secretary, expressed appreciation to the Sector Minister for the meeting and appealed to him for assistance to address challenges facing their operations.
The association complained about the rehabilitation and expansion of abattoirs in the country which were in deplorable state and requested for mobile meat vans to transport meat from the abattoirs to the market.