AMA demolishes illegal slaughter house in Avenor
Residents at Avenor, a suburb of Accra, are happy following the demolishing of an illegal slaughter house and a kraal in the community by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The demolishing exercise took place due to unsupervised and unchecked slaughtering of animals at the place near a toilet facility in the place together with the use of lorry tyres in preparing the slaughtered animals for sale to the general public.
A high powered delegation, who supervised the exercise, on Wednesday were Dr Simpson Anim Boateng, AMA Public Health Director, Dr Kwadwo Obeng-Wiredu, a Metro Veterinary Doctor, Alhaji Zakari Sofo, National Chief Butcher, Miss Christiana Adzra, Okaikwei North Environmental Health Officer and Mr Mamood Haruna, the Assemblyman for Avenor Electoral Area.
Dr Boateng in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the exercise become necessary because the residents were being exposed to serious health problems such as inhaling of dangerous chemicals that could have deleterious effect on them.
He said the smoke that emanates from the burning of the tyres contained carcinogens like carbon monoxide, dioxide and nitrous oxide and other dangerous inorganic compounds that could cause cancer.
Dr Boateng said programme of activities had been drawn to meet stakeholders to find out how best to raid the various illegal slaughtering points.
“Some butchers are so violent that the AMA needs a joint Police and Military operation to curb the illegal slaughtering of animals in the Metropolis,” he stated.
Alhaji Zakari Sofo told the GNA that the AMA should stringently enforce its environmental bye-laws to bring sanity to the areas.
He said, “We have issued butchers licenses to our members in order to flush out the fake ones among us so the AMA should intensify its health enforcement programmes.”
Alhaji Zakari said butchers, who engaged in the illegal practices, should be arrested and prosecuted.
Mr Mamood Haruna, the Assemblyman for the area, called on the residents to support AMA in its efforts at ensuring sound sanitary practices, lean and safe environment.
Some residents the GNA interviewed at Avenor confirmed that the situation was a major problem in the area because of the endless fumes that emanated from the burning of lorry tyres, adding “we are happy and now relieved with the undertaking of the demolishing exercise.”
Source: GNA