Mahama: $400 Million Spent Yearly on Chicken Imports is Concerning

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed deep concern over Ghana’s annual chicken imports, which he says amount to nearly $400 million. Describing the situation as a national shame, he called for urgent action to reduce the country’s reliance on imported poultry and bolster local production.

Speaking at the official launch of the Feed Ghana Programme in Techiman, Bono East Region, President Mahama reaffirmed his government’s dedication to revitalizing Ghana’s agricultural sector. He revealed plans to support 54 selected individuals to produce four million birds, equivalent to 10,000 metric tons of poultry, as a step towards restoring self-sufficiency in the poultry industry.

The President emphasized that his administration’s broader goal is to enhance livestock production across the country. Key focus areas include the development of cattle, goats, sheep, and other small ruminants, along with efforts to improve access to superior animal breeds and veterinary services.

The Feed Ghana Programme, a flagship agricultural initiative, is designed to transform the sector through targeted interventions in both crop and livestock production. President Mahama explained that the programme will prioritize the development of agro-production enclaves, backed by the necessary infrastructure to attract private sector participation.

These enclaves will be equipped with critical facilities such as irrigation systems, upgraded roads, electricity supply, and modern warehousing. These investments, he noted, are intended to create an enabling environment for increased agricultural productivity and agribusiness development.

To kickstart the programme, President Mahama distributed a variety of agricultural inputs and equipment—including maize seeds, fertilizers, tractors, and a Kia truck—to key institutions like the Ghana Prisons Service and the National Service Scheme. These resources are meant to facilitate the early implementation of the initiative and encourage institutional farming.

Highlighting the programme’s vision, President Mahama called for collective national commitment to agricultural transformation. He urged farmers, agribusiness operators, financial institutions, and development partners to collaborate for the successful execution of the programme, noting that agriculture remains a cornerstone for Ghana’s economic growth and food security.

Despite acknowledging existing challenges in the sector, the President expressed strong optimism about the potential of the Feed Ghana Programme to yield significant results. He described it not just as another policy, but as a comprehensive, proactive initiative aimed at achieving long-term agricultural sustainability.

The Feed Ghana Programme includes several strategic components:

Smart Agriculture & Farmer Service Centres: These will be established nationwide to provide farmers with access to mechanization, high-quality inputs, financing, training, market access, and primary processing facilities.
Grains and Legumes Development: This component targets increased production of maize, rice, soybeans, and sorghum for domestic consumption, processing, and export.
Vegetable Production – ‘Yeredua’ Project: Aimed at reducing vegetable imports, this initiative will promote local cultivation of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and peppers. It also encourages urban, peri-urban, and school-based farming using greenhouse and backyard garden models.
Institutional Farming: Schools, especially Senior High Schools, will be supported with land and resources to engage in crop cultivation and livestock rearing, encouraging agricultural education and food self-sufficiency.
Poultry Industry Revitalization – ‘Nkoko Nketenkete’ Project: This ambitious poultry development programme seeks to reduce dependency on imported chicken by enhancing local capacity through modern production techniques and investment support.

President Mahama concluded his address by stressing the need for unity and shared responsibility in realizing the goals of the Feed Ghana Programme. He called on all stakeholders to embrace the initiative and work together to secure a more resilient, productive, and self-reliant agricultural sector for Ghana’s future.