Farmers call for phased import reductions and structural reforms to revive domestic poultry industry
Ghana’s local poultry industry says it is ready to meet the country’s national demand—if the government offers targeted policy backing and financial support. Speaking at the Citi Business Festival Agribusiness Forum and sighted by Accra Street Journal, the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association renewed calls for a structured approach to reduce imports and strengthen local production capacity.
“We are ready, we are capable,” said Kwame Ntim Duodo, Chairman of the Association’s Management Committee. “Together with other poultry associations across the country, we can meet Ghana’s poultry needs—if we are given the support.”
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Ghana currently imports about 70% of its poultry consumption, primarily from heavily subsidized producers in the U.S., Brazil, and the European Union. Domestic farmers say they are squeezed by cheap imports, high input costs, and lack of access to capital—an imbalance they argue is both economically and strategically unsustainable.
Over-Liberalization and Industry Collapse
“We are at the losing end because the over-liberalization of imports led to the collapse of the poultry industry,” Duodo told attendees at the forum, which brought together policymakers, financiers, and agricultural sector leaders.
The Association is proposing a five-year phased reduction in poultry imports, coupled with coordinated investment in feed production, cold-chain logistics, infrastructure, and local hatchery capacity.
“We can set realistic annual targets and scale domestic production gradually,” Duodo said, adding that the Association is preparing a policy document to formalize its proposal.
A Sector with Strategic Potential
The forum took place against the backdrop of rising food import bills in Ghana. Analysts warn that the current trajectory undermines national food security, places pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and limits the development of job-creating agribusiness value chains.
Data from Ghana’s Ministry of Agriculture shows that poultry imports alone cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars annually, a burden that could be offset by ramping up domestic production.
A revival of the local poultry sector, which was once a cornerstone of rural industry before policy liberalization in the 1990s, could unlock employment opportunities, bolster rural incomes, and reinforce food system resilience—provided government action aligns with industry recommendations.
Time to Act: From Policy Talk to Policy Tools
The Association’s call resonates with a growing chorus of stakeholders who believe that lip service must now give way to structural policy action. With youth unemployment high and the country looking to cut its dependency on food imports, the window for reviving local agriculture—particularly poultry—is narrowing.
“The numbers make the case,” one agribusiness analyst told Accra Street Journal. “Ghana can’t afford to keep exporting jobs and importing food.”
Whether the government will act decisively remains to be seen. But for now, local farmers are placing a clear bet on their own capacity—if they’re given a level playing field.
Last Updated on December 6, 2025 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
