The Kumasi Abattoir Acting Chief Butcher, Ibrahim Wahab Tikumh has publicized that the coronavirus has massively affected sales of animals ahead of the Eidul Adha celebrations than any other year.

He revealed that people would demand cows and sheeps two weeks before the festivities yet requests have been limited due to scarcity of finances caused by the pandemic on individual trades although there is hope that consumers will respond on the final day.

“The global pandemic has affected sales, unlike the previous years where demand for cows and sheep was very high. People bought in numbers two weeks before the break of fast yet it is not so this time. The animals are available but the patronage is very low. We are still hoping that within the final days, sales can be effective to enable owners to benefit from them.”

Eid al-Adha is specifically known to be a festival of sacrifices where Muslims celebrate to remember Ibrahim's (Abraham) loyalty and obedience to Allah above all others. Families normally purchase an animal known as udhiya, usually a goat or sheep from a butcher or slaughterhouse, and divide it amongst themselves or just buy generous portions of meat for a communal meal on Eid-al-Adha.

Wahab Tikumh spoke to SoireeNews that over 5,000 animals, i.e. cows and sheep were imported from the neighboring countries; Burkina and Mali and in addition, the five northern regions yet the request is not as projected.

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"We have over 5000 animals in stock; animals of any size and type are available but the COVID has brought scarcity of finance and no one can be blamed. We pray that such a challenging year will pass to awaken upcoming ones.

On whether the closure of borders has also affected butchers, the Acting Chief Butcher revealed that “we weren’t affected by the border closure since it doesn’t affect the food chain and we are part.”

He further addressed how Abattoir have upheld the enhanced health protocols of the COVID-19 by educating their workers on the need to stay COVID-free in order to deliver the best of services to Ghanaians.

“Abattoir as a company since day one have gone beyond some of the protocols. We have acquired the thermometer gun in our daily dealings to check the temperature of traders and customers and have educated our workers on the necessity of washing the hands and wearing nose masks to stay COVID free."

He advised that “people should be very cautious in such a time where happiness is at its peak.”

“if we are able to manage our lives, we’ll enjoy the fruits of life and prevent misfortunes from befalling us. Although sallah is about joy and happiness, yet caution must be applied in order to maintain our precious lives,” he ended.