ECOWAS PACBAO Phase 2: Agric Minister pledges livestock reforms as sector contributes 14% of agricultural GDP

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched the second phase of its West Africa Livestock Marketing Support Programme (PACBAO), with Ghana pledging bold reforms to revitalise domestic livestock production and reduce reliance on imports.

Launching the sub-regional programme in Accra on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Food and Agriculture Minister, Hon. Eric Opoku, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the sector, describing livestock as a cornerstone of food security and rural livelihoods.

“Livestock accounts for about 14% of agricultural GDP and plays a critical role in ensuring food security, generating income, and providing employment—particularly in rural communities. Poultry, cattle, sheep, and goats remain the backbone of our livestock economy, with poultry leading in numbers,” he said.

Despite this contribution, the minister admitted that Ghana continues to depend heavily on imported meat.

Data from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture indicate that domestic poultry accounts for less than 20% of consumption, with the country importing more than 200,000 tonnes of frozen chicken annually, valued at over $300 million. Beef and dairy output remain low, while high feed costs, weak infrastructure, and disease outbreaks such as avian flu continue to constrain growth.

“Ghana still imports a significant share of its meat and livestock to meet domestic demand. There is a persistent shortfall in domestic meat and milk production, leaving a gap that could otherwise be filled by local producers,” he added.

Hon. Opoku outlined several interventions underway, including the Poultry Farmer-to-Table Programme, restrictions on meat imports to protect local producers, expanded access to credit and feed, stronger disease control systems, and initiatives to draw more young people into livestock enterprises.

“Our goal is to modernise production systems, improve post-harvest management, and leverage public-private investments to unlock the sector’s full potential,” he said.

Funded mainly by the Swiss Development Cooperation, PACBAO Phase 2 will run from 2024 to 2028, building on the successes of Phase 1 by modernising livestock corridors, strengthening value chains, and boosting regional trade.

Minister Opoku stressed that Ghana’s reforms are aligned with ECOWAS’ agricultural policy (ECOWAP) and the objectives of PACBAO Phase 2, which aims to increase intraregional livestock trade flows by 30% and cut extra-regional imports.

“As President John Dramani Mahama has often said: ‘We cannot even think about transforming Ghana if we do not first put food on the table at an affordable cost for our people. Agriculture is the cornerstone of our growth,” he noted.