Impact of COVID-19 on Butchers and Meat Processors in Ghana: Implication on Food (Meat) Biosecurity

Abstract

Aims: COVID-19 had an impact on the food (meat) biosecurity of Ghana. Butchers and meat processors ensure food biosecurity by making meat available, accessible, stable, and affordable to Ghanaians. This study assessed the impact of COVID-19 on butchers and meat processors in the Tamale metropolis, Ghana.  Study Design: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 98 randomly selected butchers and 4 local meat processors on the impact of COVID-19 on their operations. Results: COVID-19 had a very negative impact on both butchers and meat processors. Low sales were a prominent impact experienced by both butchers and meat processors. Lack of animals to buy was the most important effect of COVID-19 on their business and threatens the food biosecurity of Ghanaians in terms of protein intake from animal sources. All the meat processors, but only 51% of the butchers were prepared for COVID-19. The butchers (90.8%) expected the government to make farming resources available during the COVID-19 period, while meat processors (50.0%) expected the transport to be provided. To ensure the survival of the meat industry to promote food biosecurity after COVID-19, butchers (59.2%) proposed the provision of financial support for their business whilst the meat processors (50.0%) proposed that animals should be thoroughly checked at the borders. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that COVID-19 negatively affected the meat industry of Ghana and was a potential threat to the country’s food (meat) biosecurity.