Government is taking poultry sector seriously – Dumelo

Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture John Dumelo emphasized that the government is giving the poultry sector in Ghana its full attention and is determined to tackle the issues facing local production. During a round-table discussion with representatives from the Netherlands, Mr. Dumelo pointed out that the data on the sector had highlighted the pressing need for heightened focus and enhanced collaboration.

He expressed his concern over the elevated costs associated with locally produced poultry, which he linked in part to the presence of middlemen who inflate prices throughout the supply chain. Mr. Dumelo explained that while farmers could sell poultry for approximately GH¢80, this price could surge to around GH¢200 by the time the product reached consumers.

He highlighted that this discrepancy in pricing made locally produced chicken less affordable and less competitive compared to imported poultry. In response, the Deputy Minister signed a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Hans Akerboom, aiming to bolster cooperation in the poultry sector. This partnership is anticipated to bolster efforts to enhance local production through technical guidance, knowledge sharing, and investment.

The government had previously launched the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative, a poultry development programme under the Feed Ghana Programme, which was initiated in November 2025. The objective of this initiative is to stimulate household poultry farming, enhance food security, generate employment opportunities, and lessen Ghana's dependence on imported chicken.

As of July 2026, the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme had distributed approximately 2.5 million birds and chicks, with support extended to household producers, small-scale farmers, and commercial poultry operators. The government aims to cut poultry imports by 50% in the medium term, as stated by Feed Ghana Coordinator Bright Demordzi.

The initiative is designed to bolster local production and reduce Ghana's reliance on imported poultry products.