The Government of Ghana has renewed its commitment to strengthening the local poultry industry as part of a strategic plan to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported chicken, according to Hon.Isaac Adongo, Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central and a board member of the Bank of Ghana.
$300 Million Spent on Imported Chicken Annually
Speaking on GHOne TV on Monday, March 3, 2025, Hon. Adongo revealed that Ghana spends over $300 million every year importing chicken from abroad. This massive expenditure, he said, is draining the economy and creating unnecessary pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
To tackle this, the government is implementing policies to boost local poultry production, aiming to make the sector competitive and ultimately reduce imports.
Supporting Farmers and Strengthening Supply Chains
Hon. Isaac Adongo
Gov.
As part of the renewed strategy, government will support poultry farmers with better access to affordable credit, improved feed production, veterinary services, and modern poultry farming technologies. These interventions are designed to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and ensure the local industry can meet domestic demand.
According to Hon. Adongo, the goal is to create a self-sufficient poultry sector that can supply high-quality chicken products at competitive prices, reducing the need for imported frozen chicken from Brazil, the United States, and Europe.
Poultry Industry as a Key Economic Driver
The local poultry sector has the potential to create thousands of jobs, especially for youth and women in both urban and rural communities. By investing in the poultry value chain — including hatcheries, feed mills, and processing plants — the government hopes to boost employment and promote food security.
Calls for Public Support
Hon. Adongo further called on Ghanaians to actively support local poultry producers by prioritizing the purchase of locally produced chicken. He stressed that consumer confidence in Ghanaian poultry will be critical to sustaining the industry’s growth and reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
Reflections
With Ghana’s poultry sector historically plagued by challenges such as high production costs, competition from cheaper imports, and weak market linkages, the government’s latest intervention seeks to build a sustainable, resilient, and competitive poultry industry capable of feeding the nation and supporting the economy.
Also Read: ‘Daughter of a Murderer ‘: Speaker Bagbin Issues Ultimatum Over Insult Targeted at Zanetor Rawlings