Consumers of meat in Kumasi are likely to pay more for the commodity if a proposed increase in fees on animals slaughtered by butchers is implemented.

Management of the Kumasi Abattoir has increased the fee per one animal by 80 percent from 10 Ghana cedis to 18 Ghana cedis.

Butchers are however protesting the fee adjustment on grounds it will kill their businesses because already consumers are complaining about high cost of meat.

Appeals to abattoir officials to rescind the decision have fallen on deaf ears, and a meeting to discuss the matter ended in a deadlock.

Some butchers who spoke to Luv FM maintained that any fee beyond the existing 10 Ghana Cedis will affect the retail price of meat. According to the butchers there is a drop in supply of livestock, a situation pointing to retail price hikes.

Checks at retail outlets reveal a kilogram of beef and mutton currently sells at GH¢3 and GH¢3.50 respectively.

Sellers predict an increase to between GH¢4 and GH¢5 if the Abattoir goes ahead to charge the new fees.

Meanwhile, the aggrieved butchers have petitioned both the Regional Minister and the Mayor of Kumasi on the matter.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv FM/Kumasi/Ghana