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Agrihouse Foundation has held the 2nd edition of Ghana Chicken Festival, with a call on Ghanaians to increase their purchase and consumption of locally bred poultry birds.
The Foundation has also called on integral stakeholders, including government, policymakers, corporate bodies and agric agencies to design policies, programs and incentives that support the efforts of poultry farmers in the country.
These calls were contained in a welcome address by the Executive Director of Agrihouse, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa Sarpong, read on her behalf by the General Manager of the Foundation, Mr. Michael Opuni-Frimpong.
According to the Executive Director, about 95% of chicken consumed in Ghana currently is imported, “This is not a favorable situation for our poultry farmers and the industry as a whole,” she stressed.
She added, “Instituting the Ghana Chicken Festival is our way of contributing to solutions needed in the sector. We believe the poultry industry in Ghana is a key area that can improve economic development. Many jobs will be created, and our famers will enjoy the best of the market if the local sector takes at least fifty percent of the current market share.”
She therefore reiterated the need for stakeholders to financially and technically support, the initiatives of the Foundation, which are all geared towards providing training, mentorships, education, incentives and capacity building for our young people, agric students and beginner agribusinesses, women and person with disability operating in our agric sector.
Annually, the full day event promotes the consumption and patronage of local poultry products, and also helps to create sustainable awareness on the nutritional value of poultry products amongst Ghanaians. GHACHICK brings together families in a recreational atmosphere to savour locally bred chicken and other allied poultry products.
This year, the event attracted personalities including CEO of Mazia co Enterprise – Florence Tomazia Cossou, Head of Women Banking, Ecobank Ghana – Dr. Loretta Sarpong, CEO of MyBarnes Ghana Limited – Mr Kenneth Barnes. Head of Marketing, SES HD Plus – Madam Adelaide Abbiw-Wiliams, President, Women In Poultry Value Chain – Dr. Mrs. Victoria Norgbey, Madam Maria Goretti Quarshi, AJ of Mentor X Fame, and the famous Ali of TV3 Date Rush Fame.
Sponsored and supported by organizations including Agricare, HD Plus, Mobraz Farms and Dainess Chefs School, the day brought together over fifty (50) Households into a relaxing atmospheres, affording them great music and opportunities to engage in recreational games like oware, Scrabble, Ludo and Monopoly.
The children ate cotton candies whiles their faces were being painted. The bouncy castle became their new friend, but when they were wooed by the music, some of them left to engage in dancing competitions and musical chairs.
Beyond the recreational activities, the parents and small business owners who were present used the chance to network and strike businesses deals to find new opportunities for their poultry ventures and interests.
Importantly, participants savoured different kinds of chicken meals prepared by the CEO’s and corporate representative during the Chef Competition.
This year CEO of Mazia Honey, Ms. Florence Tomazia Cossou, was adjudged Best CEO Chef. Head of Women Banking, at Ecobank Ghana, Dr. Loretta Sarpong was first runner up and CEO of MyBarnes Ghana Limited – Mr Kenneth Barnes, came in third.
In similar statements, they all expressed they joy for being part of the event and called for support to enable organizers sustain the project, annually.
