The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) is urging the public to take responsibility for the animal products they consume, as it cannot guarantee the safety of most products on the market due to resource constraints and public resistance.
Dr. Joseph Kofi Abuh, Greater Accra Regional Veterinary Director, emphasized that consumers are putting their health at risk by prioritizing cheap prices over safety.
He stressed that animal health is crucial for food safety and called for the empowerment of VSD to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The VSD is committed to ensuring the safety of animal products, but faces challenges such as limited finances, human resources, and logistics.
Dr. Abuh highlighted the need for the Animal Health Bill to be passed into law to define stakeholders’ roles and enhance food security and public health.
The bill, which has been under review since 2010, is currently with the Attorney General’s office, and the VSD is urging its swift passage.
The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Yaw Fenteng Danso, launched the Food Safety Month campaign, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing animal health to protect consumers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The campaign includes food safety campaigns at slaughterhouses, schools, and cooking competitions.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 600 million people fall ill and 420,000 die annually from consuming contaminated food, with 75% of new human pathogens originating from animals.
The VSD has outlined activities for the month-long celebration, including food safety campaigns at selected slaughterhouses and abattoirs, food safety campaigns in schools, and cooking competitions.
The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of food safety and the role of animal health in ensuring public health.
