GhanaWeb reports that there have been calls for government to ban the importation of poultry products to save the local industry as well as reduce imports to shore up the cedi which has seen massive depreciation this year.

Government has asserted it may heed to the calls to ban poultry imports if only local farmers, demonstrate, the capacity to produce, to satisfy the domestic market. Ghana spends about US$600million annually on rice and poultry imports.

But the MD of the Netherlands Chamber, van Staalduinen has warned that the country may shoot itself in the foot if it goes ahead with the move. He believes Ghana’s land is not ‘suitable for rearing chicken.

“I used to work in the poultry industry for more than 20 years and I am warning, Ghana is not an ideal country for the production of chicken. Don’t jump to whatever you see. Look at what Ghana’s strong points are, export that, develop cassava, goats, and maize, and develop rice that belongs here. But stay away from risky businesses like poultry.”

“In the beginning of the 2000s, Papaye took over and begun the official chicken and rice business. In 2014 we realize rice has replaced kenkey and Fufu to become our national food. And now we are waking up to say we are importing too much rice while we saw it coming from the beginning of the 1990.”

But the CEO of TV Africa, Kwaw Ansah, rejects the assertion. According to him the country’s poultry industry has not progressed well due to government’s neglect.