Environmental sanitation challenges at the Kumasi Abattoir are expected to improve with the construction of a biogas plant at the facility.

The project will also enhance Ghana’s potentials in the production of energy from industrial waste to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Waste water and intestine contents, or dung, from the animals would serve as raw material to feed the Plant, which is expected to be up and running by June 2016.

Managing Director of Kumasi Abattoir, Joe Owusu-Boadi, is confident the installation of a biogas plant will help better manage affluence from the facility.

“The biogas we’re building will take up all the wastage, the liquid and solid wastage; because of that we need to concrete our kraal area so that we can pick the droppings,” he said.

The Plant, which is the first to be built in the West African sub-region, is funded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with technical support from the Korean government.

The project is aimed at supporting green industrial development in Ghana through the promotion of biogas technology and sustainable growth.

The Kumasi Abattoir Company Limited uses overhead mounted mono-railing system to dress slaughtered animals or carcasses. The company has the production capacity of 300-400 food animals per day but currently slaughters an average 200 cattle and 140 sheep and goat.

Mr. Boadi says the company is also looking forward to partnering an Indian firm to expand its meat processing plant, where over 20 varieties of sausages can be processed.

He says the Abattoir is committed to producing hygienic meat for public consumption.

To instill quality standards, processing at the abattoir passes through 17 stages to ensure the meat is devoid of contamination and is hygienic and healthy for consumption.

 “We examine the animals to check for abnormalities, whether infections or injuries before slaughtering,” said Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. Ernest Boateng.

All animals slaughtered are either flayed, scald or singed. LPG is used to singe animals at the Kumasi Abattoir.

The biogas plant is expected to ease the cost of production.