Butchers in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region have expressed concern about the poor sanitary conditions at the Wenchi slaughter house.
They said the condition at the Boadan slaughter house was a serious public health threat and appealed to the government to rehabilitate the facility to prevent the outbreak of diseases.
During a visit, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) noticed the butchers slaughtered and dressed animals on the floor. Only a cleaner engaged by the assembly worked around the entire facility. The drainage system around the facility is poor and the only manhole that collected liquid waste is full of debris.
In an interview with the GNA, Alhaji Seidu Mamudu, the Wenchi Municipal Chief Butcher, said persistent appeals were made to the Municipal Assembly to rehabilitate the facility but to no avail.
He expressed fear that the unhygienic condition could trigger the outbreak of communicable diseases if the deplorable conditions were not addressed.
"The situation is very bad and a serious public health hazard. It is very difficult now to collect revenue from the butchers because many of them have resolved not to pay until the facility is renovated," Mr Simon Gameli Kusorgbor, the Acting Wenchi Municipal Veterinary Officer, told the GNA.
He said revenue generated from the facility fell to about 50 per cent and appealed to the Municipal Assembly to address the problem.
"The slaughter house is not conducive for slaughtering animals for human consumption," he said, adding that despite the unhygienic condition, butchers from parts of Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions used the facility.
When contacted, the Wenchi Municipal Chief Executive, Dr Prince Kwakye Afriyie said the Assembly was working to address the situation.
He said the butchers had failed to relocate to a new site despite several engagements with them.
“Until the butchers relocate, it would be difficult to carry out any major rehabilitation work,” Dr Afriyie said.
Meanwhile, residents had complained about the situation and appealed to the assembly to relocate the butchers.
They said they were uncomfortable with the stench that emanated from the slaughter house, particularly during the rainy season.
Some of the residents told the GNA on condition of anonymity that during the wet season, liquid and waste materials from the facility flooded parts of the Boadan community due to poor drainage systems.
Latest Stories
-
NAPO commissions library to honour Atta-Mills’ memory
7 mins -
OmniBSIC Bank champions health and wellness with thriving community walk
9 mins -
Kora Wearables unveils Neo: The Ultimate Smartwatch for Ghana’s tech-savvy and health-conscious users
13 mins -
NDC supports Dampare’s ‘no guns at polling stations’ directive
16 mins -
Police officer interdicted after video of assault goes viral
33 mins -
KNUST’s Prof. Reginald Annan named first African recipient of World Cancer Research Fund
34 mins -
George Twum-Barimah-Adu pledges inclusive cabinet with Minority and Majority leaders
1 hour -
Labourer jailed 5 years for inflicting cutlass wounds on businessman
1 hour -
Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
1 hour -
Mr Daniel Kofi Asante aka Electrician
1 hour -
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
1 hour -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
1 hour -
Retain NPP for the good of Ghana – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
2 hours -
‘Let’s work together to improve sanitation, promote health outcome’ – Sector Minister urges
2 hours -
Ellembelle MP cuts sod for six-unit classroom block at Nkroful Agric SHS
2 hours