The Ghanaian poultry industry is facing a severe crisis as local farmers struggle to compete with an influx of foreign poultry products.
Emmanuel Benya, Western Regional Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association, has called on the government to take immediate action to save the industry from collapse.
“The broiler business is dying out because of the foreign market,” Mr. Benya lamented, emphasizing that local farmers are being pushed out of business due to the unchecked importation of frozen chicken.
According to Mr. Benya, the government’s inaction has allowed foreign poultry products to flood the market, making it increasingly difficult for local producers to survive. As a result, many poultry businesses are collapsing, putting thousands of jobs and livelihoods at risk.
The poultry industry plays a crucial role in Ghana’s economy, providing employment and food security. However, domestic broiler production currently meets only about 2% of the country’s total demand for chicken meat, a figure that continues to decline due to high production costs, including feed, electricity, and labor.
Mr. Benya is urging the government to implement policies that protect local farmers and ensure fair competition. “We are not asking for handouts,” he stated. “We just want a level playing field where we can compete fairly with foreign producers.”
Without swift government intervention, stakeholders fear the total collapse of the poultry sector, which could have devastating consequences for both farmers and consumers.
The question remains: will the government step in to rescue the struggling industry, or will Ghana’s poultry sector become a casualty of foreign dominance?
