Butchers say they support increase in slaughter fee

Kumasi, Jan. 19, GNA - Butchers in Kumasi have expressed their support for the upward adjustment in the slaughter fee by the Abattoir Company from GH¢12.00 to GH¢14.00.

Alhaji Musah Bawa Tanko, Chief Butcher, told the Ghana News Agency that the Management of the Company held consultations and received the endorsement of the butchers before the increase. The new fee became unavoidable given the rising overhead of the company. The last time the Company adjusted the slaughter fee was in 2008.

He said since the increase was marginal he did not for-see any rise in prices of meat in the metropolis. Alhaji Tanko appealed to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to renovate meat shops in the various satellite markets to promote hygienic handling of meat.

The Chairman of the Cooperative Butchers Society, Alhaji Muntari Bature, praised the management of the abattoir for the good work they were doing to protect public health and safety. Mr Matthew K. Ndaa, Managing Director of the Abattoir, said they were negotiating with the KMA to improve conditions at the various slaughter slabs to enhance proper and safe handling of meat. He expressed concern about the way meat was handled in some parts of the Ashanti Region and said there was the need to bring some sanity to avoid the sale of unwholesome meat to consumers. He said the Company was in the process of acquiring a cold van for distribution of processed meat such as sausages and cock ham to clients in the region and beyond. 19 Jan. 10