Takoradi butchers on warpath

Members of the Takoradi Butchers Association have threatened to resist any attempt to relocate them from the current slaughter house near new Takoradi if certain amenities are not provided at the new place at whindo near Takoradi.

Residents around the old Takoradi slaughter house, on the Takoradi- New Takoradi road, have complained that cattle and other animals that are slaughtered by the butchers sometimes create public nuisance and pose a threat to motorists.

The residents have also complained of environmental pollution caused by the smoke emanating from the burnt car tyres used in the?activities of the butchers.

So as part of efforts to get a better place for the members of the association, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) acquired a land at Whindo near Takoradi to develop it into a modern slaughter house for the butchers.

According to sources, the butchers have been given up to the end of September to relocate.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that after the relocation, the old slaughter house would be leased to Ghana Cement (GHACEM) for the construction of a modern truck park for its trucks.

However, members of the Butchers Association have indicated that they would not relocate until certain important amenities were provided at the new site at Whindo.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE in an interview, Musah Kaakale, Secretary to the Takoradi Butchers Association, noted that the members would not move to the new site unless amenities such as regular water supply and electricity were provided.

He also indicated that the road leading to the new slaughterhouse was in a deplorable state and that it would be difficult for articulators to cart cattle from the northern part of Ghana to the slaughter house for sale.

He told DAILY GUIDE that members of the association had gathered that the access road to the new slaughterhouse becomes muddy whenever it rains.

He stressed that the articulator drivers who brought cattle and sheep from the north to sell to members of the association would not risk and send the animals to the place.

“We are therefore urging the STMA and stakeholders like GHACEM to provide all the needed amenities at the new site before they tell us to relocate by September ending,” Musah Kaakale indicated.

Reacting to the concerns raised by the butchers at a stakeholders meeting, the Metropolitan Quantity Surveyor, Maxwell Obeng-Mensah, noted that regarding the issue of water shortage, the assembly had constructed a mechanised borehole with a poly tank at the new site.

“This will serve as the initial source of water until pipe-borne water was extended to the area,” he added.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Capt. (rtd) Anthony Cudjoe, revealed that the road works were on course and stated that it was possible for a private partner to come in and upgrade the road further.

He explained that with the ongoing development in the Western Region, it was evident that meat produced locally was unwholesome which was deterring hospitality firms from purchasing it, adding that this had prompted the assembly to build a better structure for the butchers.

“As the project progressed it was evident that the initial source of funding was inadequate hence the need to resort to private partnership?funds. After a series of consultations, GHACEM decided to help the assembly put up a first-class slaughter house,” Capt Cudjoe disclosed.