Ghana’s drive to revive local poultry production under the new Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme could mark a turning point for food security, but only if the government looks beyond simply producing a large number of birds, says IMANI Africa.
In its latest Criticality Analysis, IMANI argues that the government’s plan to distribute 3 million birds to farmers will fall short unless it is backed by a deliberate push to build a complete poultry ecosystem that links farmers, processors, feed producers, and distributors.
Currently, Ghana imports over 80% of its poultry, spending more than $300 million annually. IMANI believes this can only be stopped through industrial integration, not isolated interventions.
The public policy think tank says addressing the huge challenge goes beyond the production; it’s about building an entire domestic poultry ecosystem that ensures quality, creates jobs, and strengthens backward linkages.
IMANI explains that proper processing and cold-chain systems will not only reduce waste but also create steady demand for maize and soybeans, the key ingredients for poultry feed. That, in turn, could stimulate rural industrialization, improve farmer incomes, and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported feed components.
By viewing poultry as a value chain rather than a sector, IMANI argues Ghana can unlock thousands of jobs in packaging, logistics, and retail, ensuring urban consumers access affordable, high-quality local chicken.
“It is about building an entire domestic poultry ecosystem. Proper processing ensures consistent quality, allows urban markets to access convenient products, stabilizes prices, and creates jobs along the value chain from farming to processing, packaging, and logistics. At the same time, it strengthens backward linkages, supporting maize and soybean production for feed, and stimulating industrial growth,” IMANI indicated.
For IMANI, every bird produced must have a clear path to market. Every processing facility must operate at scale. This is how the programme can truly deliver on its promise of industrialization and import substitution.
It added, “For Ghana to truly reduce poultry imports, strengthen food security, and create sustainable jobs, production and processing must grow together. Every bird produced must have a clear path to market, and every processing facility must have enough output to operate efficiently. Only then will the programme deliver on its promise of import substitution and industrialization.”
In essence, the think tank says Ghana doesn’t just need to produce more chickens; it needs to grow the system that sustains them.
