By Prince Offeh
Ghana Spends $350 Million Yearly on Poultry Imports as Government Pushes Local Production | Ghana spends about $350 million every year importing poultry products, a situation the government says continues to drain the economy and create jobs outside the country.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, said the country can redirect those resources into developing the local poultry industry while creating employment opportunities for Ghanaians. He made the remarks on JoyNews on Friday, July 17, during a discussion on the future of the poultry sector beyond the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme.
According to the Minister, Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported chicken has weakened the growth of domestic poultry production. As a result, local farmers continue to face challenges expanding their businesses despite the growing demand for poultry products.
“As we speak, on an annual basis, we spend $350 million United States dollars to import poultry products into Ghana. That huge amount of money is creating jobs in those countries at the expense and peril of the youth of our nation,” Mr. Opoku said.
He explained that the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to increase local poultry production, create jobs, and strengthen the entire poultry value chain. In addition, the programme aims to encourage Ghanaians to consume more locally produced chicken, reducing the country’s dependence on imports over time.
Furthermore, the Minister said the next phase of the programme will target medium-scale poultry farmers after the initial support provided to households. He noted that many producers currently rear between 500 and 3,000 birds but lack the financial capacity to expand.
Ghana Spends $350 Million Yearly on Poultry Imports as Government Pushes Local Production
Therefore, the government intends to provide the necessary support to help these farmers increase production and meet rising local demand. Mr. Opoku stressed that expanding existing poultry farms remains essential to achieving national food security and reducing the import bill.
Ultimately, he urged stronger support for local poultry producers, arguing that investing in domestic production would retain more value within the economy, generate employment for young people, and build a more sustainable poultry industry.
Ghana Spends $350 Million Yearly on Poultry Imports as Government Pushes Local Production | AviationGhana
