The Head of the Department of Animal Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor K. Adomako, is calling for immediate regulatory action to stabilize Ghana’s poultry industry. He emphasizes that robust measures are crucial to protect farmers from significant financial losses and to ensure the safety of both animals and consumers.
Professor Adomako highlighted the detrimental impact of unregulated practices, specifically the influx of uncertified day-old chicks into the market due to the absence of enforceable hatchery regulations and breeding standards. He made these remarks at the opening of a five-day capacity-building program titled “Bridging the Technology Transfer Gap for Poultry Experts and Consultants in Ghana.”
Addressing Gaps in the Value Chain
“The poultry industry in Ghana has largely been driven by private enterprise, yet since independence, we have not had a single established breeding company. This is a significant gap in our value chain,” Professor Adomako stated. He explained that poultry breeding, which involves raising genetically selected birds to produce high-quality chicks, requires substantial capital investment and a business model with global reach to be profitable.
He suggested that government intervention, similar to practices in other countries, could bridge this investment gap. While acknowledging that Ghanaian investors could also venture into this area, he cautioned them to be prepared for the high costs and long-term nature of breeding operations.
The Importance of Regulation for Public and Animal Health
Professor Adomako stressed that regulation is vital not only for market order but also for safeguarding public and animal health. He urged academia, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and all stakeholders to collaborate and advocate for the government to play a neutral, oversight role in enforcing standards.
He referenced ongoing efforts by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), supported by the Ghana Poultry Project and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which developed a hatchery regulation framework. Despite its completion, this policy has not yet been fully implemented. Professor Adomako warned that the current situation, where uncertified chicks are sold to unsuspecting farmers, leads to poor flock performance, higher mortality rates, and significant financial losses.
“Investing in the wrong chicks is one of the biggest losses poultry farmers face. Proper regulation will protect them and improve confidence in the sector,” he asserted.
Local Expertise and Industry Concerns
Professor Adomako also highlighted KNUST’s Animal Science Department’s expertise in developing poultry breeds specifically suited to Ghana’s tropical conditions. He urged both government and private investors to support the development and commercial production of these local breeds for both domestic and international markets. “We have the science, we have the knowledge. What we need now is the investment and the regulatory framework to make our poultry industry globally competitive,” he concluded.
Poultry Farmers Express Disappointment
Adding to the discussion, Francis Nsiah, Vice President of the Poultry Farmers Association, expressed disappointment regarding the government’s apparent lack of engagement with their association concerning the “akoko nkitinkiti” project. He stated that the association had sent letters to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture offering their expertise, but they have yet to receive a response. “We are the ones who can really help to boost this laudable project,” Nsiah emphasized.