Ghana’s poultry industry cannot continue surviving on policy promises and imported chicken while local producers struggle with high feed costs, weak processing capacity and limited financing, Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Group, Daniel Fahene Acquaye, has cautioned, urging government to turn the proposed poultry master plan into a practical investment and production blueprint capable of transforming the sector into a major economic growth engine.
Speaking at the Ghana poultry master plan stakeholders dialogue on the proposed poultry master plan, Acquaye stressed that Ghana cannot afford another policy document that fails to translate into measurable industry transformation.
“We don’t want a master plan that ends up in literature. We want one that attracts real investment and delivers impact,” he said, urging participants to focus on practical, solution-oriented strategies rather than revisiting long-standing challenges.
The dialogue, supported by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and private sector actors, forms part of a nationwide consultation to develop a comprehensive roadmap for revitalising Ghana’s poultry industry.
From Self-Sufficiency to Import Dependence
Acquaye highlighted the sharp decline in Ghana’s poultry self-sufficiency over the years, noting that the country once produced about 80 percent of its poultry needs but now relies heavily on imports.
“Today, local production accounts for barely 10 percent, while imports dominate the market,” he said. “This is despite the fact that poultry can be produced in less than two months.”
He questioned the economic logic of importing a product that can be produced quickly and consistently domestically, warning that the trend continues to create jobs and value in exporting countries instead of Ghana.
Call for Value Chain Investment
According to Acquaye, a key weakness in previous interventions has been the fragmented approach to financing and development within the sector. He argued that future investments must adopt a full value chain perspective.
“Financing has been done in silos, supporting production without considering processing capacity, logistics, or market access,” he explained. “If processors are already at capacity, increasing production alone creates bottlenecks.”
He identified critical investment gaps beyond production, including breeder farms, hatcheries, feed production, veterinary services, and logistics.
“Investment in poultry is not just about raising birds. It includes feed systems, hatcheries, and breeder operations. These are areas where Ghana remains heavily dependent on imports,” he added.
Master Plan Priorities
Acquaye outlined four key expectations for the poultry master plan. First, it must address systemic constraints such as disease control, limited hatchery capacity, high feed costs, and logistics inefficiencies.
Second, it should deliver measurable and transformative impact rather than incremental improvements. Third, it must be structured to attract both public and private sector investment by clearly identifying viable opportunities.
Finally, he emphasised the need for inclusivity, ensuring that smallholder farmers, women, and youth are fully integrated into the industry’s growth.
“We need a plan that investors can look at and immediately identify where to put their money,” he said. “That is how we catalyse growth in the sector.”
Lessons from Pilot Interventions
Acquaye pointed to pilot interventions implemented under the partnership between Agri-Impact Group, the Ministry, and development partners as evidence of what coordinated investment can achieve.
He cited the revival of a poultry processing facility, which now processes over 200,000 birds monthly following targeted support and ecosystem integration.
While acknowledging this progress, he noted that such capacity remains insufficient to meet national demand, stressing the need to replicate and scale similar models across the country.
“We need multiple large-scale processors to meet demand. One or two players cannot supply the entire country,” he said.
Balancing Imports and Competitiveness
On the issue of imports, Acquaye clarified that the industry is not necessarily calling for a ban but rather a level playing field.
He argued that imported poultry products often benefit from subsidies in exporting countries, making it difficult for local producers to compete.
“If those subsidies are removed, Ghanaian producers can compete effectively,” he noted, adding that policy interventions should focus on creating space for domestic production to grow.
Despite current challenges, Acquaye expressed cautious optimism about the future of Ghana’s poultry industry, particularly if the master plan succeeds in aligning stakeholders and attracting investment.
He stressed that bold decisions and coordinated action will be required to reverse the sector’s decline and reduce dependence on imports.
“We must move away from business as usual. If we are bold and strategic, this master plan can transform the poultry industry and make Ghana competitive again,” he said.
The final poultry master plan is expected to consolidate inputs from regional stakeholder engagements and serve as a blueprint for long-term sector development.
