By: Peter Agengre
It’s a market day today in Bolgatanga and animal traders in the Upper East Region are back to active business. This follows the lifting of a ban on the movement of ruminants and donkeys, slaughtering, sale and consumption of meat and meat products due to an outbreak of Anthrax.
The traders say they will abide by the directives issued in the statement by the Ministry. They have also commended the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and government for the swift intervention in containing the anthrax in the area.
Our correspondent Peter Agengre visited the Livestock market in Bolgatanga and reports that the traders were back transacting their usual business.
Goats, Cattle, and sheep were being brought to the market to either sell or transport to other towns or regions.
According to the traders, the lifting of the ban may not have come at a better time.
“We are happy that the ban has been lifted. We were out of business. We couldn’t send animals to Kumasi and Accra. But we thank the government for vaccinating the animals and lifting the ban so that we can do our livestock business.”
A member of the cattle market association Paul Asasiya said.
The traders also cautioned suppliers of livestock not to send sick animals to the market.
“We don’t want anybody to bring an animal that is not healthy to the market. Our committee members will be at a look out for that. If they see that your animal is sick, we will report you to the veterinary officers.”
The Bolga Animal Market chairman Peter Nsoh Ayinbire said.
The ban on the movement of ruminants and donkeys, slaughtering, sale and consumption of meat and meat products became necessary due to an outbreak of anthrax that claimed one live and several animals.
A mass vaccination was carried out across the fifteen Municipal and District Assemblies to contain the outbreak.
