Ghana’s $400m Chicken Imports Disgraceful – President Mahama

President John Mahama has expressed deep concern over Ghana’s annual chicken imports, which total close to $400 million, describing the situation as shameful. He emphasized the need for urgent local intervention, revealing that 54 individuals would be supported to produce four million birds—equivalent to 10,000 metric tons of chicken.

Speaking at the launch of the government’s “Feed Ghana Programme” in Techiman, Bono East Region, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing the livestock sector. This includes boosting cattle, goat, and sheep production while enhancing access to improved animal breeds.

He explained that the livestock segment of the Feed Ghana Programme would be linked to agro production enclaves supported by infrastructure such as irrigation systems, reliable road networks, electricity supply, and storage facilities, all aimed at drawing in private investment.

The President further noted that the programme is designed to strengthen both the production and processing aspects of agriculture. As part of the launch, items such as maize seeds, fertilizers, a Kia truck, and tractors were presented to key institutions including the Ghana Prisons Service and the National Service Authority to support implementation.

Urging collective effort, President Mahama highlighted the initiative as more than just policy—it is a proactive plan to transform agriculture into a major pillar of national growth. Despite existing challenges, he expressed strong optimism about the programme’s potential and encouraged collaboration among farmers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and development partners.

The Feed Ghana Programme focuses on boosting food production through modern farming techniques, improved infrastructure, and the creation of agro-industrial zones. Key elements include the rollout of smart agriculture through Farmers’ Service Centres, which will offer services such as mechanization, input supply, financial aid, market linkage, training, and processing support.

Mahama also announced plans to establish land banks in irrigable areas to help young entrepreneurs enter the agriculture sector, thereby increasing national food output.

The programme’s grain and legume component will target increased production of maize, rice, soybeans, and sorghum for domestic use, processing, and export.

Another key aspect, the vegetable development initiative dubbed Yeredua, aims to reduce dependency on imports by promoting local vegetable farming. This includes the adoption of controlled farming environments like greenhouses, support for urban agriculture, and encouraging schools to cultivate their own vegetables.

The programme will also promote institutional farming, encouraging homes and communities to grow vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and garden eggs, while also supporting Senior High Schools to access land for crop and livestock production.

Finally, the programme’s poultry revitalization project, named “Nkoko Nketenkete,” seeks to revive the local poultry industry and reduce reliance on imports.