Ghana, renowned for its agricultural abundance and vibrant food culture, faces a pressing challenge in meeting its domestic meat demand. Despite the country’s potential for livestock production, Ghana relies heavily on meat imports to bridge the gap between production and consumption. This issue took center stage during the weekly Diamond Agric Dialogue program hosted by Dr. Zakaria Issahaku on July 10 2023, shedding light on the underlying factors contributing to this dependency.
During the dialogue, Mr. Abukari Yakubu, the Director of Agriculture for Kpandai, highlighted a substantial gap between meat production and consumption in Ghana. Although the exact percentage remains undisclosed, it is clear that urgent measures are required to bolster the livestock sector. Several bottlenecks were identified, with a significant impediment being the lack of policy implementation.
To address this challenge, various policy alternatives and initiatives were proposed during the dialogue. Key among them were the “One District, One Abattoir” and “One Community, One Slaughter Slab” initiatives. These recommendations emphasize the need for government investment in establishing abattoirs and slaughter slabs at the district and community levels, respectively. Such infrastructure developments would enhance local meat processing capabilities and contribute to reducing the dependence on imports.
Empowering farmers, particularly women and youth, to engage in livestock businesses and value addition was also stressed during the dialogue. By venturing into meat processing and other value-added activities, farmers can secure sustainable income streams while simultaneously reducing reliance on imported meat.
Analyzing the trend data for livestock production in Ghana provides further insights into the country’s capacity to meet its meat demand through domestic production:
CATTLE: The cattle population in Ghana has steadily increased over the years, from an undisclosed number in 2012 to 2,174,000 in 2021. This represents a positive growth rate, highlighting the potential for domestic cattle production.
SHEEP: Similarly, the sheep population has shown consistent growth, reaching 5,695,000 in 2021. This upward trend indicates the capacity for increased domestic sheep production.
GOAT: Ghana’s goat population has exhibited steady growth, with total production of 8,411,000 in 2021. This growth signifies the potential for expanding domestic goat production.
While the livestock sector in Ghana shows promising growth in cattle, sheep, and goat, populations, the country must continue its efforts to enhance domestic production and reduce reliance on meat imports. The analysis of meat production and import data further emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to achieve self-sufficiency in meeting Ghana’s meat demand.
Addressing this challenge is vital for boosting the local economy, fostering employment opportunities, and improving food security. The recommendations put forth during the Diamond Agric Dialogue, including the implementation of key policy alternatives, investment in infrastructure, and the promotion of value addition, provide a roadmap to reduce Ghana’s meat import dependency.
By implementing these recommendations and adopting a comprehensive approach, Ghana can aspire to meet its meat demand through increased domestic production. This endeavor will not only reduce import reliance but also ensure a sustainable and thriving meat industry that benefits both farmers and consumers.
Written by Dr. Zakaria Issahaku
