President John Dramani Mahama has inspected ongoing construction works on the Poultry, Meat and Feed Processing Plant at Bechem in the Ahafo Region, expressing optimism that the project will strengthen Ghana’s domestic poultry industry, create jobs and provide a reliable market for local farmers. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The inspection took place during the President’s two-day working visit to the region under the government’s Resetting Ghana Tour.
The facility, popularly known as the “Nkokɔ Nketenkete” processing plant, forms part of efforts to expand local poultry production and reduce the country’s dependence on imported chicken.
President Mahama said monitoring major public projects was necessary to ensure that contractors delivered on their commitments. He expressed satisfaction with the progress reported at the site, where construction was estimated to be approximately 50 per cent complete.
“When you award a contract to someone for a project like this, there is a need to monitor it and inspect it from time to time,” the President said, explaining that the visit was intended to assess the project’s progress.
He also commended Architecture and Engineering Services Limited, the consultants overseeing the works.
The project is expected to become an important part of Ghana’s poultry value chain by connecting farmers to processing, storage and distribution facilities.
Once operational, it could help address one of the longstanding challenges facing local poultry producers: securing dependable markets for their birds.
President Mahama said the facility would position Bechem as a major centre for chicken production and processing, encouraging young people in the area to consider poultry farming and other business opportunities along the value chain.
He urged the youth to take advantage of the government’s Nkoko Nketenkete programme, which is intended to support domestic poultry production.
Beyond rearing birds, young entrepreneurs could participate in purchasing, packaging, transporting and selling processed chicken to consumers in other parts of the country.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, told the President that the contractor had assured the government that the facility would be completed and operationalised in 2027.
Reports on the inspection gave slightly different completion estimates, with the contractor’s reported timeline extending to the middle of the year, while the minister indicated that operations could begin by the end of the first quarter.
The final operational date will therefore depend on the completion of construction and the necessary preparations. Corrections Policy
Mr. Opoku said the project would include two processing lines and a feed production component. The facility is also expected to have a hatchery for producing day-old chicks, cold-storage infrastructure and distribution arrangements to help farmers preserve and market their products.
The feed component is intended to support the poultry value chain, while the hatchery could help improve access to chicks for participating farmers. Cold storage, meanwhile, would allow producers to preserve their output and reduce the risk of losses when products cannot immediately be sold.
The government also plans to procure two trucks for distributing packaged and branded broiler chicken to markets. According to the minister, a private operator will manage the facility to promote operational efficiency.
A key consideration for the project will be maintaining a steady supply of poultry.
Mr. Opoku explained that the factory would need a consistent volume of birds to operate continuously, prompting plans for contractual arrangements with farmers in the Ashanti, Bono, Upper East and other regions.
Such agreements could give farmers greater certainty about where to sell their birds, while enabling the processing plant to plan production and distribution more effectively.
However, the benefits will depend on clear purchasing terms, reliable payments, appropriate pricing and the ability of farmers to meet the required production standards.
The inspection also drew attention to reported growth in Ghana’s domestic poultry production. The Agriculture Minister said local production had risen from 4.7 per cent to 22 per cent by May 2026.
The government has linked this progress to the Nkoko Nketenkete initiative, although sustaining the increase will require continued investment in feed, animal health, farm management and processing capacity.
The increase in production has also created pressure to find markets for eggs. Mr. Opoku said Ghana had begun exporting eggs to Burkina Faso following discussions between the two countries, but exports alone had not been sufficient to clear the reported surplus.
The government was also working with the Ministry of Education on a plan to include eggs in the School Feeding Programme.
For the Bechem plant to deliver its expected economic benefits, processing capacity must grow alongside demand for locally produced poultry.
A factory can provide farmers with a market, but its long-term success will depend on competitive prices, consistent quality, efficient logistics and consumer confidence in locally processed products. Editorial Standards
The facility is expected to create opportunities in farming, processing, packaging, cold-chain storage, transport and retail.
These activities could support jobs and small businesses in Bechem and surrounding communities, while increasing the value added to agricultural products within Ghana.
The project also reflects a broader effort to connect agricultural production with industrial processing.
By developing facilities that can handle poultry from farm to market, the government hopes to improve the competitiveness of local producers and strengthen the country’s food supply.
President Mahama’s inspection has placed renewed focus on the need to complete the factory and establish an effective system linking farmers, processors and buyers.
The next major test will be whether construction is completed on schedule and the facility can operate sustainably. Newscard
If these objectives are achieved, the Bechem processing plant could become a significant asset for the domestic poultry industry.
Its impact, however, will ultimately be measured by the opportunities it creates for farmers, the jobs it supports, the reliability of its operations and its contribution to making locally produced chicken more accessible to consumers across Ghana.