The 5th edition of the Ghana Poultry Day Festival was officially launched on Monday, April 15th, at the Accra Information Tourist Centre by the National Treasurer of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Mr. Raphael Ayitey.
Themed “Investing in the Local Poultry Sector: A Means to Creating Jobs, Promoting Agritourism and Improving Food Security,” this year’s event seeks to rally public and private stakeholders around a transformative agenda for the poultry industry.
In his keynote address, Mr. Ayitey emphasized that the theme represents more than a slogan—it is a strategic call to action aimed at revitalizing the Ghanaian economy. “This is not just about chicken. This is about creating a smart, strategic, and sustainable ecosystem for jobs, food security, and innovation,” he noted.
Highlighting the sector’s pressing challenges, Mr. Ayitey revealed that Ghana imports over 300,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually, amounting to nearly 600,000 birds per day. “We currently produce just 5% of what we consume,” he stated. “The remaining 95% comes from countries like the Netherlands, Brazil, and the United States—costing us almost $400 million in foreign exchange every year.”
He linked the import dependency to broader economic concerns, including currency depreciation and unemployment. “Ghana has over 570,000 unemployed people, and yet we import over 600,000 chickens daily. The math is simple—we must localize and structure this value chain.”
Mr. Ayitey outlined a bold vision for the sector, noting the vast opportunities in local poultry production that go beyond chickens to include turkeys, ducks, guinea fowls, ostriches, and quails—all with unique economic potential.
He called for a coordinated ecosystem that includes feed producers, veterinary scientists, slaughterhouses, agri-tech innovators, women entrepreneurs, and even agritourism professionals. “This industry can absorb thousands—not just the youth, but retirees, women in agribusiness, and professionals seeking purpose in agriculture.”
In closing, he stressed the need for collaboration, innovation, and investment to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s poultry sector. “We are not just building an industry—we are building a future.”
The festival is expected to feature exhibitions, policy dialogues, capacity-building workshops, and agritourism activities aimed at promoting local poultry consumption and investment.
