The long-awaited salmonella infested gizzard which was impounded at the Port of Tema following a tip-off from the Brazilian Embassy has finally been destroyed.
A joint team comprising the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Veterinary services, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, GPHA Intelligence, Ports Health Services, National Security, Bureau of National Investigation and other stakeholders in the import and export chain destroyed the salmonella infested gizzard with at the Kpone Dumping Site on Wednesday, March 4.
In addition to the destruction of the infested gizzard, four other containers of unwholesome animal products were also destroyed.
Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Asiedu Baah, said although they are able to bury the unwholesome gizzard infested with salmonella, certain impediments hindered their ability to destroy the products which were scheduled to be destroyed on, February 17.
He praised the security agencies involved and their effort in ensuring that the impounded container was not tampered with at the time it was taken for destruction.
Dr. Asiedu Baah also reiterated that the importers of the infested gizzards were able to clear the three containers ahead of the officials and succeeded in selling the products to the citizenry because of the late alert obtained by the agencies from the Brazilian authorities.
Head of Regulatory Unit, Veterinary Services Directorate, at the Port of Tema Dr.Stephen George Bonnah, reiterated that going forward, there should be coordination among stakeholder agencies on the Joint Inspection Management Information System platform which gives approval for the clearance of goods at the port.
He assured the public that the unwholesome animal products have been destroyed and surveillance on animal products into the country will be intensified.
