As Muslims get ready to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha tomorrow, the outbreak of anthrax, a disease that affects cattle, in the northern portions of the nation looks to have affected meat consumption.
Following the spread of the anthrax illness in the Upper East Region, butchers and livestock merchants in the Northern, North East, Eastern, and Greater Accra areas report poor patronage.
Many customers stated they were still hesitant to eat meat despite the fact that the "localised outbreak" has been substantially managed by health officials through restrictions on animals and vaccines.
An essential component of the Eid-ul-Adha celebration is meat intake.
Patronage was surprisingly low at different meat sales locations, also known as chinchinga joints and animal markets, with cattle, sheep, goats, and meat almost unpurchased.
Advice
Consumers have been warned not to eat sick or dead cattle due to rising prices.
The West Mamprusi Municipal Veterinary Director, Dr. Abaki Abdulai, who provided the recommendation, claimed that since the reason for the livestock's demise was unknown, eating the animals posed a health risk.
Instead, instances involving deceased cattle should be reported to the veterinarian for inspection, regardless of where they occur.
low levels of business
According to Fugu Mohammed, who is reporting from Tamale, the prohibition on the transportation and trading of cattle in the Upper East Region has slowed down butchers' and merchants' activities in some sections of the Northern and North East regions. This is because most of them source their meat from farmers and retailers there.
According to Mohammed Hudu, a livestock trader, "all my cattle and rams are locked up in the Upper East Region, where my farm is located."
Because of the prohibition, I was unable to fulfil orders for Eid-ul-Adha.
He said that as a result of the disease's spread, livestock prices had skyrocketed, scaring off some customers in the process.
Salifu Rahaman, a butcher, bemoaned the recent weeks' poor meat sales, stating that "business is very bad."
I used to butcher a cow and sell everything in two days before the sickness spread, but now, even a week is not enough time for me to complete selling the meat.
He pleaded with the authorities to expedite the vaccination campaign in order to limit the sickness and restore business.
According to a report by Haruna Yussif Wunpini from Koforidua, the area's primary livestock market, Koforidua Magazine, had reduced sales of animals and meat items, and several locals voiced concerns about the anthrax illness epidemic.
Although there were sheep, goats, and cattle for sale, it appeared to be empty, and there were hardly any purchasers.
The anthrax epidemic, according to Alhaji Iddrisu Abdul Rahman, a trader in both cattle and ruminants, was the cause of the poor customer traffic.
Cost increases
According to Alhaji Rahman, prices for animals have climbed by more than 40% since the same time last year.
However, he said that some Muslims were ready to purchase the cattle for the Islamic holiday.
According to him, the cost of a bull varied between GH7,000 and GH8,000 and GH15,000 depending on size, while sheep ranged in price from GH2,500 to GH3,500, with the most popular white, larger ram selling for GH5,000.
Lack of supply
Even though there were fewer sheep, goats, rams, and cattle due to the anthrax, another trader, Tajudeen Sulemana, claimed that many Muslims bemoaned the high price and the financial hardships that had reduced their purchasing capacity.
Although he had sold livestock in the months leading up to Eid for many years, he claimed to have sold much less this year.
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