Over 95% Of Our Chicken Is Imported From Abroad – Hon. Eric Opoku
Ghana Spends $400 Million Annually on Chicken Imports, Launches Nkoko Nketenkete Project to Boost Local Poultry
- Over 95% of chicken consumed in Ghana is imported
- Nkoko Nketenkete Project will distribute three million vaccinated birds nationwide
- Each household beneficiary will receive approximately 50 birds
Ghana currently relies heavily on imported chicken, with over 95% of the nation’s supply coming from abroad, Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, revealed during an interview on the Ghana Se Sen Show on Lawson TV/Radio with Kwame Tanko.
Tracing the country’s import history, Hon. Opoku explained, “In ancient days, there were no imports of chicken. They were reared locally, especially for Christmas. But over the years, our dependence on imported poultry has grown dramatically. Ghana imported 4,000 tons of chicken in 1998, 104,000 tons in 2004, and 324,000 tons in 2022.”
The heavy reliance on imports comes at a significant cost. “Ghana spends $400 million annually on chicken imports,” the minister stated, highlighting the economic burden and the lost opportunity for local farmers.
To address this, the government will launched the Nkoko Nketenkete Project, today November 12, 2025 which aims to strengthen local poultry production.
Each constituency is expected to receive about 10,000 birds, shared among roughly 200 households. Beneficiaries will receive around 50 birds each, along with feed support, enabling them to start poultry farming immediately. The project targets farmers of all sizes, from household producers to smallholders.
Hon. Opoku emphasized the importance of the initiative in reducing Ghana’s dependence on imports. “This is about empowering our farmers, boosting local production, and ensuring that our poultry industry is sustainable. We can no longer rely on imported chicken for our daily needs,” he said.
