The Ministry of Health has urged consumers to be vigilant about the sources of the meat they purchase to prevent food poisoning and other related illnesses.

This appeal was made during a stakeholder meeting focused on research findings and recommendations to enhance animal welfare, food safety and the one-health approach in Ghana.

Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Acting Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of educating slaughterhouse operators and other stakeholders on best practices for handling animals and meat.

“We aim to involve not only representatives from environmental health, family health and animal health but also slaughterhouse owners, butchers and even those who transport the animals. Each has a critical role to play. We will educate them on proper procedures and ensure these are implemented to meet food quality and safety standards for the public,” he stated.

Professor Benjamin Emikpe, a lecturer at the School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Health Sciences, KNUST, emphasised the need for certification of slaughterhouses and regular inspections to ensure proper meat handling and preservation.

“It’s not that they lack training. They are trained in school but are unfamiliar with modern equipment—either because they don’t have access to it or the available tools are outdated. There is a need to upgrade abattoirs, provide the necessary equipment and offer hands-on training for workers to handle it effectively,” he noted.

The Ministry and stakeholders remain committed to implementing measures to improve food safety and public health standards in Ghana.