Government is taking poultry sector seriously – Dumelo

Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture John Dumelo has emphasized that the government is giving the poultry sector its full attention. At a round-table discussion with the Netherlands in Accra on Monday, Mr Dumelo expressed the government's commitment to tackling the challenges faced by local poultry production. Highlighting data from the sector, he stressed the need for urgent action and better collaboration. "We are taking the poultry sector very seriously," Mr Dumelo affirmed.

Concerning the high cost of locally produced poultry, Mr Dumelo pointed out that this issue stemmed partly from middlemen who inflate prices throughout the supply chain. While farmers could sell poultry for approximately GH¢80, the cost could soar to around GH¢200 by the time it reached consumers. "One thing that is of concern to me is the cost of producing poultry," he noted.

If one considers the price of production and the various middlemen transporting it to the consumer, even though farmers sell at affordable prices, perhaps around GH¢80 before reaching the final buyer, the final price can reach around GH¢200.

This price differential made locally produced chicken less competitive and less affordable compared to imported poultry. To address this, Mr Dumelo signed a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Hans Akerboom. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation in the poultry sector, providing technical expertise, knowledge exchange, and investment support.

The government has also launched the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative, a poultry development program under the Feed Ghana Programme. Established in November 2025, this initiative aims to boost household poultry farming, enhance food security, create jobs, and reduce Ghana's reliance on imported chicken. The government plans to distribute millions of birds and chicks, offering support to household producers, small and medium-scale farmers, and commercial poultry operators.

As of July 2026, the Feed Ghana Coordinator, Bright Demordzi, reported that approximately 2.5 million birds and chicks had been distributed under the program.

Looking ahead, the government has set a target of reducing poultry imports by 50% in the medium term. The initiative is designed to bolster local production, making Ghana less dependent on imported poultry products.