Ghana Spends $400 Million Annually on Chicken Imports – Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Government Aims to Distribute Three Million Birds Nationwide, Strengthen Local Poultry Production
- Ghana spends $400 million annually on imported chicken.
- Over 95% of chicken consumed in Ghana comes from abroad
- Nkoko Nketenkete Project will distribute three million vaccinated birds nationwide
Ghana is taking a bold step toward poultry self-sufficiency with the official launch of the Nkoko Nketenkete Project today in Kumasi.
The initiative, which seeks to boost local chicken production and reduce dependence on imports, was highlighted during an exclusive interview on the Ghana Se Sen Show on Lawson TV/Radio with Kwame Tanko by Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture.
In a candid discussion, Hon. Opoku traced Ghana’s growing reliance on imported chicken.
“In ancient days, there were no imports of chicken. They were reared locally, especially for Christmas,” he noted. However, the nation’s appetite for poultry has led to dramatic increases in imports over the years. Ghana imported 4,000 tons of chicken in 1998, rising sharply to 104,000 tons by 2004, and reaching 324,000 tons in 2022.
“Over 95% of our chicken is imported from abroad,” Hon. Opoku emphasized. “Ghana spends $400 million annually on chicken imports. This is a huge drain on our economy and a lost opportunity for local farmers.”
The Nkoko Nketenkete Project aims to reverse this trend. The government is initially injecting 10,000 birds into the project, with a broader plan to distribute three million birds across all constituencies in Ghana. Each constituency is expected to receive roughly 10,000 birds, which will be shared among approximately 200 households, giving each beneficiary around 50 birds.
“These birds will come vaccinated, so beneficiaries can start poultry farming immediately,” said Hon. Opoku.
“We are also providing feed to selected participants to ensure successful rearing. This initiative supports everyone, from smallholders to household farmers.”
“The project has not been without controversy. President John Mahama faced strong criticism during the 2024 election campaign when he initially announced the program. Yet today, the government is moving forward with the project, signaling a renewed commitment to boosting local poultry production and reducing the nation’s dependence on imports.”
The Nkoko Nketenkete Project marks a historic effort to restore local poultry farming traditions while addressing Ghana’s rising import costs, ensuring that communities across the country can actively participate in sustainable poultry farming.
