According to Ralph Ayitey, the Chief Executive Officer of Coconut Grove Regency Hotel and the National Treasurer of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), there is a significant demand that should be met through local production.
During the launch of the 2025 Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES) report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in Accra, Ayitey articulated the stark contrast between the immense potential of Ghana’s poultry industry and the substantial volume of chicken that is imported. This reliance on imports, particularly frozen chicken, has increasingly dominated the local market, placing an enormous strain on domestic farmers and the broader economy.
“This staggering consumption figure serves as a clear indication that our local poultry industry is struggling to keep pace with demand,” Ayitey remarked. “It prompts us to critically examine why we are importing so much chicken when we possess the capability to produce it domestically.”
He emphasized that Ghana has both the resources and the agricultural foundation necessary for self-sufficiency in poultry production. However, he stated that achieving this goal requires a concerted effort from a diverse range of stakeholders, including government entities, local farmers, and industry players.
“To foster growth and productivity, we must support our local farmers with essential resources and incentives to bolster their production capabilities,” Ayitey urged. He further pointed out the pressing issue of high production costs, which often puts local farmers at a disadvantage when competing with cheaper imported chicken products.
To stimulate local production, Ayitey proposed that the government consider implementing protective policies for the local poultry sector. These could include tariffs on imported chicken or financial incentives for local farmers aimed at enhancing production levels.
“We must revive the appeal of local chicken by making it trendy again,” Ayitey asserted. “By promoting our indigenous poultry industry and encouraging Ghanaians to prioritize purchases of local chicken, we can significantly reduce our dependence on imports. This initiative will not only create jobs but also stimulate local economies and spur overall economic growth.”
He outlined the considerable economic potential of poultry farming, noting, “An acre of land can be transformed into a six-storey poultry farm, which can yield higher returns on investment than an eight-storey apartment block.” This comparison underscores the significant profitability that could be harnessed from investing in local poultry initiatives.
Additionally, Ayitey called for the government to implement structured interventions to formalize and integrate Ghana’s informal sector into the broader economy. He pointed out that this sector, which is estimated to contribute around 35.6% to the nation’s GDP, is often overlooked due to a lack of accurate and comprehensive data.
He lauded the IBES report for its potential to address this data deficit by providing valuable insights into both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
“This report can provide a clearer picture of the number of businesses operating outside the tax net,” Ayitey stated. He advocated for targeted interventions aimed at facilitating the transition of informal businesses into the formal economy, emphasizing that a robust informal sector can undermine effective fiscal policies.
To effectively address the challenges that the informal sector faces, Ayitey proposed a collaborative, multi-sector approach involving the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and the Ministry of Tourism. He also urged the Statistical Service to develop practical, bankable proposals to support agri-businesses and other informal sector enterprises.
“I recommend that the Statistical Service, given its pivotal role, begin to craft actionable proposals for Ghanaians to implement,” Ayitey emphasized.
Finally, he underscored the necessity of making the formal sector more appealing and accessible to those operating within the informal economy. This might involve simplifying the formalization process, lowering associated costs, and providing meaningful incentives for businesses to register and comply with tax regulations.
“If there is adequate motivation for informal sector businesses to transition into the formal economy, I am confident that mobilizing tax revenues will become significantly easier for our fiscal authorities,” Ayitey noted. “While there are undeniable benefits to operating a well-structured business, practically, we must do more to improve the ease and affordability of doing business within the formal sector to encourage informal operators to formalize their practices.”
