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Livestock farmers in Ghana have been urged to heed the advice of authorized veterinary personnel instead of resorting to the practice of un-prescribed self-veterinary drugs administration.
According to a Professor of Meat Science and Food Safety at the Nyankpala Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof. Frederick Adzitey, self-veterinary injection possess a major threat to both human lives and livestock due to antibiotic resistance.
He identified that the practice of unprescribed medication on livestock among farmers in the country is on the high without taking into consideration the side effects to their farms at large.
Professor Frederick Adzitey gave the advice on Friday, August 26, 2022, when delivering an inaugural lecture on the theme ‘Sustainable Meat Safety in the 21st Century: Our Responsibility’ at the Nyankpala Campus of the University for Development Studies.
In finding a lasting solution to the canker, the Professor called on the government to roll out measures through its various institutions to intensify the awareness creation and training on food hygiene to ensure the act is averted.
He also suggested that there must be regular checks of the slaughtering and transportation of animals under unhygienic conditions.
“Personal and environmental hygiene is the key to preventing meat contamination and food poisoning; this should be observed by farmers, butchers, meat sellers, and consumers.
“Enforcement of meat safety laws by the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority is strongly recommended,” Prof. Frederick Adzitey recommended.
Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Prof. Gabriel Ayum Teye, stressed the need for enhancement in the education and awareness creation on the importance of meat hygiene.
“Raw meat in Ghana are mostly contaminated before they get to the consumer and that’s due to the inadequate knowledge of meat safety.”
