The government has been urged to provide the necessary support and encouragement to local livestock farmers to increase production and reduce the importation of animals, especially cattle, into the country.

Mr. Michael Tungbani, Production Manager of the Kumasi Abattoir, who made the call, said the current shortage of cattle in the country was putting pressure on traders to import animals from nearby Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Kumasi, he mentioned that there was currently a shortage of cattle at the abattoir.

He noted that the facility was expecting about 5,000 livestock ahead of the 2024 Eid Adha festivities.

However, due to low local production, most of the animals were being imported from neighboring countries for slaughter at the facility.

Mr. Tungbani stressed the need for more investment in the local production of animals to help bridge the gap and reduce imports.

He assured that the facility was ready to provide efficient and hygienic services to ensure that meat on the market was safe and healthy for human consumption.

Mr. Tungbani also denied speculations that the abattoir had increased its service charges and stated that the company had no intention of increasing its service charges ahead of the Eid Adah celebrations.

He called on the public to patronize the abattoir's services to ensure that their meat was hygienic and safe for consumption.