The President of the Ghana National Poultry Farmers Association (GNPFA), Victor Oppong Adjei, has emphasized that the poultry industry ,has the potential to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities in the Country.
According to him there is a need to continue promoting the consumption of local chicken to achieve sustainable developmental growth in the poultry sector.
Mr. Oppong made these comments on Wednesday, at the launch of the third edition of the Ghana Chicken Festival, held in Accra, at the GNAT Hall.
He said it was rather unfortunate that the country has been depending on imported frozen chicken for decades, with about 600,000 metric tons of chicken imported into the country in 2021.
“This translates to a value of approximately $600 million. This situation has resulted in the exportation of job opportunities and pressure on the exchange rate, which could have positively impacted the economy,” he added
Touching on the significance of the Festival, Mr. Oppong said, the platform provides an opportunity for poultry farmers to educate the public on the high nutritional benefits of consuming local chicken.
He commended Agrihouse Foundation for initiating the Ghana Chicken Festival to boost the poultry industry, adding that local chicken is a valuable source of protein, which is necessary for multiple body functions. He therefore called on more stakeholders to support Agrihouse Foundation to increase patronage of local chicken.
He said the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers, which is the apex body of the poultry industry in the country was committed to agenda, and expressed the hope that the Ghana Chicken Festival would accomplish its objectives of promoting and marketing local chicken towards achieving sustainable developmental growth in the poultry industry.
BY:AGRIWATCH REPORTER
