Ghana Mobilises Over GH¢1 Billion To Transform Poultry Industry
By Zainab Ali
Ghana has mobilised financing commitments exceeding GH¢1 billion to support the transformation of the country’s poultry value chain as authorities intensify efforts to increase local production and reduce dependence on imported chicken.
The financing has been mobilised by the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and the Accelerated Export Development Authority as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s poultry industry.
According to the Ghana News Agency, the funding will support various areas of the poultry value chain, including feed production, day-old chick supply, equipment, processing, storage and veterinary services.
Arnold Parker, Funding Team Lead of the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, said strong commitments had been secured from financial institutions and investors to support the programme.
The private-sector financing is expected to involve financial institutions including ABSA, Fidelity and Ecobank.
The first phase of the programme is expected to target approximately GH¢300 million, with additional financing to be mobilised following the initial implementation cycle.
Parker explained that the money was available, but appropriate structures needed to be put in place to ensure that the financing could be effectively accessed and deployed across the industry.
The initiative is not solely focused on increasing the number of chickens produced locally. It is designed to strengthen the entire value chain, from input suppliers and breeders to processors and final buyers.
One of the major challenges facing Ghana’s poultry industry is the country’s heavy reliance on imports.
Figures cited by GNA indicate that Ghana consumed approximately 324,047 metric tonnes of poultry in 2022, while local production stood at about 15,000 metric tonnes, representing only 4.6 per cent of national demand.
This means that about 95 per cent of poultry consumed in Ghana was imported, mainly from Brazil, the United States and Europe.
The Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers estimates that the country spends nearly US$400 million annually on imported poultry products.
The new financing framework is therefore expected to address some of the structural problems limiting local poultry production.
Authorities also want financial institutions and industry players to develop financing products that reflect the realities of poultry farming.
This is because conventional lending arrangements can place pressure on farmers whose businesses operate according to production cycles that may not align with standard loan repayment structures.
Under the programme, customised financing solutions are expected to be developed to better suit poultry operations.
The initiative will also involve collaboration with research institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, to improve productivity and promote innovation.
If successfully implemented, the programme could create opportunities for farmers, feed producers, processors, equipment suppliers, transporters and other businesses connected to the poultry sector.
It could also support job creation while reducing the amount of foreign exchange spent importing poultry products.
For consumers, stronger domestic production could eventually contribute to a more resilient local poultry market.
However, the success of the initiative will depend not only on the availability of financing but also on how effectively the funds are deployed, how accessible they are to businesses and whether the broader challenges facing the industry are addressed.
The GH¢1 billion-plus commitment therefore represents a major financial push, but its long-term impact will ultimately be measured by increased production, stronger local businesses and a reduction in Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry.