A section of chefs at the event
The Agrihouse Foundation, in partnership with the American Soybean Association (ASA) through the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Programme, has organised the 4th edition of the Ghana Poultry Day.
The advocacy event aimed to illuminate the vital role poultry plays in good nutrition, food security and trade.
The Ghana Poultry Day event featured various activities, including a chef cooking competition showcasing poultry recipes, insightful town hall discussions led by industry leaders, and an exhibition for stakeholders across multiple sectors to forge partnerships.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Korley Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings emphasised the need to assess the balance between locally produced and imported poultry.
She underscored the need for the government to develop policies that would make the production of poultry locally more competitive to promote food security and improve participation in the poultry sector, especially, among the youth.
Ghana National Egg Campaign Secretariat (GNECS), Coordinator, Comfort Kyerewa Acheampong, advocated the empowerment of local poultry farmers to sell individual parts, making poultry accessible to all. “Despite rising feed costs affecting meat and egg production, selling in parts ensures affordability,” she said.
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of livestock, Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, said the government had developed policies which included support to poultry farmers to help improve the poultry industry while admitting the challenge it faced such as the increasing price of poultry feed.
He assured poultry farmers of continued support from the government to help eliminate the excessive import of poultry into the country.
The founder of Agrihouse Foundation, Albert Nana Akyaa Akosa, explained that the participation of diverse individuals, including MPs, was a testament to growth and strengthening of the poultry sector.
She also advocated for July 1 to be recognised as a national poultry day to create awareness about the importance and opportunities of the poultry sector at all levels.
“These activities are not just about the present, but they hold the promise of a brighter future, driving economic growth and prosperity,” she concluded.
By Nafisatu Abdul Razak