By King Amoah.
The Ashanti Regional Chief Butcher, Chief Ibrahim Wahab Tikuma, is advocating for a major upgrade of the Kumasi Abattoir to international standards, arguing it’s a crucial step towards boosting Ghana’s economy, creating jobs, and capitalizing on the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.
Chief Tikuma highlights the historical significance of the abattoir, established in 1957 by Ghana’s founding father, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He notes that the facility, a testament to its long-term viability, has seen some improvements over the decades, including efforts by late President Jerry John Rawlings. However, he stresses that a significant upgrade is now essential to unlock its full economic potential.
“The Kumasi Abattoir has been here since independence, it’s been here for a long time,” Chief Tikuma explained in an exclusive interview. “It’s still a viable facility, but it needs a significant upgrade to compete internationally and fully benefit the country.”
He emphasized that the meat industry is a significant source of income for economic development and, to this end, he revealed that his outfit presented a draft proposal to former President John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2024, urging them to incorporate their vision into their manifesto. He said he is now hopeful of implementation as the NDC has won the recently concluded elections
Chief Tikuma drew a sharp contrast between Ghana’s current approach and the industry in developed nations. He pointed out that Ghana generated $6 million in profit from cattle intestines alone in 2023/2024. He further highlighted that Australia, despite having similar resources to Ghana, generates a staggering $50 billion annually through meat production, attributing this success to the prioritization of their meat industry. He believes a modernized Kumasi Abattoir could help Ghana significantly bridge that gap.
Challenges and Solutions for the Butchers
Chief Tikuma also addressed the significant challenges faced by butchers across the country. He explained that the fluctuating strength of the Ghanaian cedi, compared to foreign currencies like the US dollar and the CFA franc, makes importing cattle from neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso extremely costly. “We are suffering and running at a loss,” he lamented, “because we have to convert large sums of cedis into foreign currency to import cattle.”
He suggested proactive measures, calling on the government to engage with the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali to potentially negotiate for reduced cattle prices and subsidies on imported cattle for Ghanaian butchers. These interventions, he argued, would not only alleviate the immediate financial burden on butchers but also strengthen bilateral relationships and boost Ghana’s economy.
The 24-Hour Economy and the Meat Industry
Chief Tikuma believes that a modernized abattoir is essential to the success of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative. He stated that with an upgraded facility, the meat industry could become a crucial component of a round-the-clock economic cycle, providing jobs and generating substantial revenue.
He argues that upgrading the Kumasi Abattoire is not just about enhancing meat production; it’s about creating a comprehensive ecosystem that supports job creation, reduces urban migration by offering rural opportunities, builds strong international trade relationships, and contributes significantly to Ghana’s financial growth.
The call for the upgrade of the Kumasi Abattoir by the Ashanti Regional Chief Butcher is a clarion call to the government and stakeholders. As Ghana looks for avenues to grow the economy, the meat industry, with the right investments, could be a valuable resource that has long been overlooked.
