Ghana’s kitchen tables are dominated by frozen chicken shipped in from Europe, the United States and Brazil. At the same time, local farmers watch helplessly as their flocks are priced out of the market. Now the government is stepping in with a bold promise: boost domestic chicken production to replace 25 percent of imports. If it succeeds, Ghana could not only shore up its food security but also revive a struggling poultry sector and put local farmers back in business.
Why Ghana Must Cut Chicken Imports
Right now more than 90 percent of Ghana’s poultry meat comes from abroad. Those imported legs and wings arrive in supermarket freezers and roadside stalls at rock‑bottom prices that local producers simply cannot match. As a result, many small‑scale farmers have shut down their operations. That trend leaves Ghana ever more dependent on global supply chains for a staple protein that should be grown at home.
A Realistic Production Target
To turn the tide, the government has set a clear goal: reach 100 000 metric tonnes of locally produced chicken per year. That volume would replace roughly a quarter of the current imports. Hitting 100 000 tonnes means raising about 67 million broiler chickens annually around 1.28 million birds each week. At an average live weight of 2.08 kilograms per bird, that output translates into roughly 1.5 kilograms of meat per bird after processing.
The Feed Challenge
Feed accounts for the bulk of production costs. To nourish 67 million broilers, Ghanaian producers need about 222 000 tonnes of feed each year, 133 000 tonnes of maize and 78 000 tonnes of soya meal. Without cheaper, reliable inputs, most farmers cannot scale up. Recognising this, government planners are proposing direct support for maize and soya cultivation. That package could include improved seed varieties, modern planting methods and better post‑harvest storage. By cutting feed costs, Ghana can make local chicken more price‑competitive with imported stock.
Upgrading Hatcheries and Processing Plants
Producing seven figures of broilers a week demands roughly 1.35 million day‑old chicks, which in turn requires over 1.6 million fertile eggs. But most hatcheries in Ghana still rely on outdated equipment and struggle with limited capacity. Experts say both public and private investment is needed now to modernise breeding and hatching facilities.
Processing is another bottleneck. Informal slaughter operations still dominate, yet they often lack proper sanitation and refrigeration. To handle the expected output, Ghana will need at least 40 processing plants each capable of slaughtering 2 000 birds per hour. Quality control, food safety and cold‑chain logistics must all improve if local chicken is to match the consistency and price of imports.
Policy Levers and Institutional Demand
Beyond infrastructure, policy changes are critical. Officials are discussing a phased limit on chicken imports to give domestic producers time to build capacity. At the same time, the government could boost demand through institutional channels such as school feeding programmes and hospital meals. Committing to buy local chicken in bulk would not only guarantee markets but also demonstrate confidence in homegrown poultry.
Uniting Farmers for Greater Impact
Most Ghanaian poultry farmers currently work in isolation or in small groups, which means they lack bargaining power for inputs, credit and sales. Stronger cooperatives could change that dynamic. By banding together, farmers can buy feed and equipment in bulk at lower cost, share access to hatcheries and processing facilities and secure better market prices. A coordinated sector is far more resilient than a patchwork of solo operators.
A Vision for the Future
With the right mix of investment, planning and regulation, Ghana’s poultry sector can lift itself off its knees. Reaching the 25 percent import‑replacement goal would mean 100 000 tonnes of chicken produced locally every year, 67 million broilers raised on Ghanaian soil and thousands of farmers back in business. The ripple effect would span rural incomes, national food security and even forex savings by cutting import bills.
Ghana has laid out a blueprint. Now farmers, processors, investors and policymakers must work together to turn that promise into reality. If they do, the next generation of Ghanaians may find that the freshest, tastiest chicken they enjoy came from just down the road and that nourishing a nation can start at home.
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