Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE MINISTER for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has paid a historic working visit to the Ashaiman Tulaku Livestock Market, the largest livestock trading centre in West Africa, marking the first time a sector minister has toured the facility since its establishment in the 1960s.
The visit has been widely welcomed by traders and market leaders, who described it as a major boost to confidence in government’s commitment to the livestock sector.
The Ashaiman Tulaku Livestock Market serves as a key hub for regional livestock trade, receiving cattle, sheep and goats from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and other neighbouring countries. Operating round-the-clock, the market supports thousands of livelihoods and plays a critical role in food security, employment creation and animal protein supply across Ghana.
During interactions with traders, Hon. Eric Opoku acknowledged the market’s strategic importance to the national economy and reiterated government’s resolve to strengthen the livestock value chain. He noted that improving meat processing standards and enhancing conditions for traders remain central to government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The Minister recalled that President John Dramani Mahama, during the 2020 election campaign, visited the market and pledged its redevelopment. He assured traders that the government remains committed to that pledge and will work to improve infrastructure and sanitation at the facility.
As part of immediate interventions, Hon. Opoku announced the donation of 50 streetlight bulbs to improve visibility and safety for traders, especially those operating at night. He also presented GH₵30,000 to enable the market to hire a payloader to clear accumulated waste, while assuring that government would subsequently procure a dedicated payloader for the market.
In addition, the Minister directed a technical team from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to explore ways of converting cow dung into organic fertilizer, as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and value addition within the livestock sector.
Hon. Opoku also formally recognized the Ashaiman Tulaku Livestock Traders Association and emphasized the need for sustained engagement between the Association and the Ministry.
He urged traders to cooperate fully with the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly to allow ongoing and future redevelopment works at the market to proceed smoothly.
Leaders of the Ashaiman Tulaku Livestock Traders Association described the visit as historic, praising Hon. Eric Opoku for being the first Agric Minister to visit the market since its inception more than six decades ago. They expressed optimism that the visit would translate into lasting improvements and renewed investment in the market.
The visit is being hailed as a renewed signal of government’s commitment to revitalising Ghana’s livestock industry and unlocking the full potential of one of West Africa’s most important agricultural markets.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
