As part of measures to ensure that the Kumasi Abattoir gains reputation to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts, the Chief Butcher of the outfit who also doubles as the National Vice Chairman of Meat Sellers Association, Chief Alhaji Ibrahim Wahab Tikuma has indicated that the outfit will soon roll out plans to clamp down on all illegal slaughters in the region.
At a press briefing in Kumasi, Chief Wahab expressed worry that meat business is a lucrative one of which proper attention must be given to it, fake ones have allegedly find their ways into the profession by a way of dragging its name into the mud.
The chief butcher noted that some meat operators hardly abide by the rules that govern the carrier nor heeding to the hygienic aspects of the business.
Stressing that the abuse of rules and regulations governing the business have become some of the major challenges confronting the outfit, hence he and his executives want to bring out new policies to restructure the Kumasi Slaughterhouse.
According to him his outfit is going to collaborate with the Food and Drug Authority, the media and other bodies to undertake unstoppable exercise to track down illegal slaughters including butchers who allegedly use foul means to buy animal, kill and sells them at cheap prices to the disadvantage of genuine butchers.
Criminal activities of theft associated with members where animals are being smuggled to an unauthorized places to slaughter, Alhaji Ibrahim Tikuma said, such acts are illegal and against the practices of the industry.
In order to indentify a real butcher, he said the outfit have already issued identify cards to members for its members and will continue the process to ensure that every member operating on meat or sells meat are given certified licence.
The meat industry he noted, holds the world economy but Ghana government he alleged has paid less attention to it.
The Chief Butcher hinted that apart from revenue generation from the meat industry, the sector also contribute in job creations, and as such attention should be given to its functions.
Chief Wahab emphasized that, in 2020 the meat industry contributed $838 billion dollars to the world economy to top in terms of income generation above other industry(s) at the global level.
In a brief history of the meat industry worldwide, Alhaji Ibrahim Tikuma noted that; Australian government has employed over 445,000 people in the meat industry of which an amount of $50 billion has been generated into their economy.
Adding, in 2020 130 billion pounds of meat were consumed worldwide and this research was done in 53 countries globally and no West African countries were among it.
We however, want to use this opportunity to call on the Ghana government to see the significance of the meat industry and support the Accra and the Kumasi abattoir so as to also add value to the sector growth, the chief butcher concluded.
