Local Poultry Industry Can Meet National Demand If Given Policy Backing- Association Tells Gov’t.

The Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association has reaffirmed the sector’s readiness to meet Ghana‘s domestic poultry demand if only the government introduces bold policy and financial interventions to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imports.

Speaking at the Citi Business Festival Agribusiness Forum in Accra yesterday, Kwame Ntim Duodo, Management Committee Chairman of the Association, made a compelling case for a strategic rebalancing of Ghana’s poultry trade regime, which he described as overly liberalised and unfairly tilted against local producers.

“We are ready, we are capable, together with other poultry farmers‘ associations, of meeting the poultry needs of the Ghanaian population  if we have the support,” Duodo stated.

Ghana currently imports an estimated 70% of its poultry consumption, mainly from the United States, Brazil, and the European Union where producers benefit from large-scale subsidies. Local farmers, by contrast, face high input costs, limited access to financing, and market distortions caused by these cheap imports.

“We are at the losing end because over-liberalization of imports led to the collapse of the poultry industry,” Duodo lamented.

He proposed a phased approach to reverse the trend, starting with a gradual reduction in poultry imports over a five-year period, matched by structured investments in local production, feed inputs, cold storage infrastructure, and market linkages.

“We are coming with a proposal for the gradual reduction of importation and improving the local production over a period of time, maybe five years. We can set the target,” he added.

A Timely Call Amid Rising Food Import Bill

The call for reform comes as Ghana’s agriculture and food import bill continues to rise, with poultry alone accounting for hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Industry analysts say that promoting local poultry production could not only reduce the country’s forex pressure but also create thousands of jobs, enhance food security, and stimulate rural development.

The forum, themed “Harnessing Agribusiness Potential for Economic Growth: Expanding Agricultural Frontiers and Maximizing Productivity in Ghana,” drew policymakers, agribusiness leaders, financial institutions, and development partners together to shape a renewed strategy for agricultural transformation.

Policy Shift or Missed Opportunity?

Stakeholders say the time for lip service is over. With rising youth unemployment and global food insecurity, Ghana must realign its agribusiness policies to favour local industries with high growth and export potential.

If the government heeds the association’s proposal, Ghana could witness a resurgence in domestic poultry production a sector once robust before import liberalisation policies weakened its foundation.

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