GHANA – The Ghanaian government has initiated efforts to regulate poultry product imports, marking a significant move aimed at revitalizing the domestic poultry sector.
Victor Oppong Adjei, the National Chairman of the Ghana National Poultry Farmers Association, announced his approval of this initiative during the opening of a three-day training program for the Apex Body of Women in Poultry Value Chain (WIPVaC).
The training focused on enhancing egg production quality and bio-security measures to improve farm hygiene.
The event, organized by WIPVaC in collaboration with the American Soybean Association (ASA), the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), and the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers, gathered stakeholders to discuss strategies for the industry’s growth.
Mr. Adjei emphasized the positive impact that reducing the importation of inexpensive poultry products would have on the domestic poultry industry. He pointed out that the government’s intervention in supporting local broiler production had already begun to yield results, but challenges remained.
The move to regulate poultry imports followed discussions initiated by the Ghana National Poultry Farmers Association, which had been advocating for government support to boost local broiler production, which is a cornerstone of the poultry sector.
Mr. Adjei noted that Ghana’s market had been flooded with cheap frozen chicken imports, making it difficult for local broiler farmers to sell their products.
“The government’s intervention to curtail the importation of low-cost poultry products will significantly bolster the poultry industry and create employment opportunities for our people,” he asserted.
Mr. Adjei also highlighted a concerning trend within the industry, stating that approximately 88 percent of poultry farmers had lost their livelihoods over the past three years due to the high cost of production.
He urged the government to take the poultry industry’s needs seriously, emphasizing that its growth potential could generate up to 80 percent of job opportunities in the country.
Additionally, Ricky Aboagye Poku, Poultry Specialist at the Animal Production Directorate, MoFA, echoed Mr. Adjei’s sentiments, underscoring the government’s commitment to reviving the poultry sector.
He mentioned that the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program was specifically aimed at the poultry industry to reduce the nation’s frozen chicken import bills and boost domestic production.
“Through the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, we aim to produce more rice, soybeans, and maize to ensure lower prices, ultimately driving growth in the poultry industry,” Mr. Poku emphasized.
Dr. Victoria Norgbey, President of WIPVaC, also expressed gratitude to the foreign partners for their support in training initiatives and stressed the importance of educating the public about the health benefits of consuming eggs.
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