Mr Matthew Ndaa, Managing Director of the Kumasi Abattoir Company Limited, has said that the facility currently operates under capacity as they only slaughter an average of 200 animals a day, instead of the normal capacity of 400 animals in a day.
He attributed the situation to the illegal and unhygienic slaughtering of animals at places like Aboabo, Asawase, Akwatialine, and Race Course, among others, all in the Kumasi Metropolis. He said if not checked, this could lead to an disease epidemic which would be very disastrous to the Metropolis and the nation as a whole.
Mr. Ndaa made these remarks in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi at the weekend.
He indicated that his outfit would soon meet with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Veterinary Service, Ghana Health Service, the various butchers associations, and other stakeholders in the Kumasi Metropolis to take a serious view at the issue, with particular emphasis on the wholesomeness and hygienic nature of the meat from such areas.
The Managing Director also attributed the inability of the abattoir to operate at full capacity to the high cost of animals from both within Ghana and the neighbouring Sahelian countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. He said around this time last year they slaughtered an average of 230 animals a day but that the number had now reduced to an average of 200 a day.
Mr Bugbil Benedict Zobil, Acting Production Manager of the Company, said due to the high cost of the animals, they find it extremely difficult to charge the butchers the appropriate price to help pay their workers and utility bills.
He therefore commended the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for supporting the company, and appealed to the government to come to their aid towards the procurement of a meat processing machine to enable them to add value to the meat they handle before selling it to consumers.
Mr Raphael Boadi, Acting Administrative Manager of the company, disclosed that they had since October last year, been processing beef boneless, beef fillet, goat, lamb chop, sausages and many other meat varieties to some institutions, including schools and mining companies.
He said plans were far advanced to procure a cold van to help distribute some of their products to their customers to reduce the difficulty they go through in a bid to get hygienically prepared and wholesome meat for their meals.
Mr Boadi commended personnel of the veterinary service department for their regular support and assistance rendered to the abattoir towards the provision of wholesome and hygienically prepared meat for their families and the general public.