Former President John Mahama has described Ghana’s chicken imports—worth nearly $400 million annually—as a national embarrassment, highlighting the urgent need to boost local production.
Speaking at the launch of the Feed Ghana Programme in Techiman, Bono East Region, Mahama emphasized that such heavy reliance on imported poultry is unacceptable for a country with vast agricultural potential. He announced plans to support 54 individuals to produce four million birds, amounting to 10,000 metric tons of chicken.
As part of broader agricultural reforms, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to livestock development, aiming to improve the production of cattle, goats, and sheep, and to provide high-quality breeds to farmers. He stated that the Feed Ghana Programme will focus on several key areas to transform the country’s agricultural landscape.
The Feed Ghana Programme will first concentrate on revitalizing poultry production through the introduction of the “Nkoko Nketenkete” poultry project. This initiative will be complemented by the development of agro enclaves that will feature improved infrastructure such as irrigation systems, roads, electricity, and warehousing. These investments aim to attract private investment and foster a thriving livestock industry in the country.
The programme’s second component will focus on boosting the production of essential grains and legumes, including maize, rice, soya beans, and sorghum. The goal is to increase local production for both domestic consumption and export, while also promoting agro-processing.
Another significant initiative is the “Yeredua” Vegetable Production Project, which seeks to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported vegetables. The project will encourage local cultivation through greenhouse farming and urban agriculture, with a special focus on schools cultivating their own vegetables through backyard farming programs.
The programme will also target institutional and community farming, helping households and schools access land to grow vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and garden eggs. By promoting farming in Senior High Schools, the programme aims to enhance self-sufficiency and engage young people in agricultural activities.
The fifth and final component of the Feed Ghana Programme is focused on introducing smart agriculture through the establishment of Farmers’ Service Centres. These centres will provide essential services such as mechanization, high-quality inputs, financial support, market access, and training for farmers.
Mahama also announced the creation of land banks in designated irrigable zones, aimed at supporting young agri-entrepreneurs and boosting national food production. In his remarks, he presented tractors, a Kia truck, maize seeds, and fertilizers to institutions including the Ghana Prisons Service and the National Service Authority to kickstart the implementation of the programme.
Mahama called for unity in transforming the agricultural sector, urging farmers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and development partners to work together in ensuring the success of the Feed Ghana Programme. He emphasized that this initiative is not just a policy but a proactive national mission to restore Ghana’s food independence and reduce the country’s reliance on chicken imports.
