Some residents of Tema have ignored safety warning by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) as the scramble for the meat of a whale that was washed ashore dead.
The FDA issued a food safety alert on Friday advising residents about the dangers of eating the dead animal.
“The public is advised to stay away from such fishes that are washed ashore as one may not know the cause of death which may have effect on heath,” the Authority said in a statement by its Chief Executive Officer.
But in a video sighted by newstitbits.com, some residents were seen having a field day, busily butchering the carcass, that has spent days at the shore, with relish.
“This is our Christmas bonus” a guy was heard saying in the video. “God has given us meat for light soup and then you are here saying the meat is not good for consumption. It’s very good for consumption and we are going to prepare light soup with it”.
Meanwhile, the Authority said it is collaborating with Agencies within the National Food Safety Emergency Response Plan (FoSERP) to address the safety issues.
It claimed in the statement that the situation had been brought under control and is being monitored to prevent people from having access to the carcass as arrangements are underway to safely dispose of the carcass.
“The public is advised to contact the FDA or any of the Food Safety Emergency Response partners (i.e., Fisheries and Aquaculture, Local Government and Rural Development, National Security, Customs Division, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Department (PPIRSD), Veterinary Services Department, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Armed Forces, and the Ghana Health Services (GHS) if one comes across such an incident.”