Accra: The Ghanaian government has been urged to implement an 'egg-a-day' directive under the National School Feeding Programme to scale up local procurement, absorb domestic production, and eliminate the country's heavy reliance on foreign markets.
According to Ghana Web, the National Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana, George Dassah, emphasized that the country's vast student population could easily sustain the poultry industry if local supply is fully integrated into the school feeding agenda. Dassah pointed out that although eggs are currently used in the School Feeding Programme, the quantity purchased is insufficient. He proposed that every beneficiary of the programme should consume an egg a day, which would reduce the need for exports to neighboring countries like Burkina Faso. This, he argues, would facilitate expansion, job creation, and increased employment within the industry.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Dassah recalled a commitment made by President John Dramani Mahama during the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative. The president had pledged that beneficiary schools would purchase local eggs and chicken, a promise later included in the national budget by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. Dassah highlighted that despite the initial commendation for this commitment, it often remains unfulfilled. To address this, the association engaged with authorities and developed modalities for schools to increase their purchase of local eggs. A committee was established and has submitted its recommendations, which Dassah hopes will be implemented soon.
This call comes even as Dassah expressed gratitude for Burkina Faso's decision to lift its ban on egg imports from Ghana. While this move is expected to help farmers regain vital export markets and sustain their operations, Dassah stressed that long-term stability lies in boosting domestic consumption. The ban had previously forced many farmers to halt operations due to a lack of buyers, leading to significant financial losses.
Dassah assured the public that the resumption of exports would not lead to steep price increases for eggs locally. The diplomatic breakthrough with Burkina Faso followed high-level engagements led by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku. Burkina Faso's previous restrictions were based on quality concerns regarding egg imports from certain countries, particularly those from Dormaa. With the lifting of these trade barriers, exports are set to resume immediately, strengthening bilateral trade relations even as local farmers continue to advocate for stronger internal market protections.