Accra, Ghana — John Dumelo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, has sparked debate with a bold proposal: make it mandatory for all restaurants and hotels in Ghana to serve locally produced chicken — the so-called “Made-in-Ghana” chicken.

Speaking on a national breakfast television show, Dumelo argued that such a policy would not only boost national pride but also strengthen Ghana’s poultry industry. “We should be happy … to say we’re buying made-in-Ghana chicken instead of the foreign breed,” he said, framing the consumption of local poultry as a patriotic and economic choice. 

He emphasized that many imported chickens are of dubious freshness, warning that some frozen poultry on the Ghanaian market could be “two or three years old.” 

Key Elements of the Proposal

Import Dependency Reduction The drive to require only Ghanaian chicken in hospitality is part of a larger plan to reduce the country’s dependence on imported poultry.  Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme To support local production, the government is rolling out its Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative — a poultry-industry revitalization scheme that will distribute millions of vaccinated birds across the country.  Food Security and Local Economic Boost By prioritizing Ghanaian chicken, Dumelo says the country can ensure fresher meat while also providing more income for poultry farmers.  National Pride Dumelo framed the move as more than just economics — for him, eating locally is about identity: “It should be a national pride to eat what we grow.” 

Potential Challenges & Reactions

Supply & Capacity: Some experts warn that local poultry producers may struggle to meet a sudden surge in demand from all hospitality institutions. High production costs, limited processing infrastructure, and feed constraints remain major hurdles for domestic producers.  Cost to Consumers: Restaurants and hotels may face higher input costs if local chicken is more expensive than some imported frozen options. That could lead to higher menu prices. Industry Support: However, there is already momentum behind the idea — for example, Coconut Grove Hotels has publicly called on other hospitality players to use only Ghanaian poultry, citing the importance of supporting local farmers.  Implementation Complexity: Enforcing such a mandate would require regulatory mechanisms, verification of provenance, and possibly incentives to scale up local production.

Broader Context

The proposal aligns with the government’s broader Feed Ghana agenda, which aims to modernize agriculture, reduce import reliance, and support agribusiness development.  President John Dramani Mahama has also expressed ambitious goals for the sector: his administration is targeting 100% local chicken production within three years. 

Analysis:

Dumelo’s call is both symbolic and strategic. Symbolically, it appeals to national pride and self-reliance. Strategically, it could drive demand that helps local farmers scale, while reducing Ghana’s hefty import bill. But turning this vision into reality will demand serious coordination — from production and processing to logistics and regulation.