Public Agenda (Accra)
Mahama Zakaria
3 December 2007
The guinea-fowl industry in Northern Ghana has been identified as one of the most essential commodities that can transform the lives of millions of people in the north.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale Hon. Mohammed Amin Adam said this during an interaction with over 85 producers, processors, scientists and extension service providers in Tamale at a two-day strategic planning workshop hosted by the Market Oriented Agricultural Programme of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Animal Programme of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The aim of the forum was to define the strategic direction for the sustainable development of the guinea-fowl value-chain.
In his opening remark, an agricultural development expert, Mr. Adam Kaleem, stressed the need for concerted action to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in mobilizing resources and ideas for guinea-fowl development.
A program advisor for the GTZ- Mr. Mark Fynn commended the MoFA, scientists of the Animal Research Institute and other partners for their efforts in bringing the guinea fowl to prominence
In his opinion, all that is needed now is to define the strategic direction and investment program for an integrated development of the guinea fowl sector.
On his part the Regional Director of MoFA, Mr. Adongo, said he is convinced that with over 80 serious stakeholders, the guinea-fowl development program can work.
The Northern Regional Minister, Ahaji Mustapah Ali Iddris stressed the importance of guinea- fowl to the northern Ghana tradition life-style. The guinea fowl can lead to more than a 10- fold increase in income for farmers, especially women. "We must therefore embark on an accelerated plan to transform the three northern regions, Brong Ahafo, Volta and all other regions where guinea fowl is grown". He said the guinea fowl industry will be one of the main priorities in government's efforts to undertake the special initiative for sustainable development in the proposed Northern Development Fund.
The Regional minister noted that there are tremendous economic opportunities that exist within the guinea fowl value chain and noted that demand for guinea fowl products exceeds supply throughout the year.
"Demand is high in Northern Ghana and in the south of the country, in the sub-region guinea fowl meat is a delicacy as well" he explained. Alhaji Mustapha therefore called on participants to seize the opportunity offered by the high demand for guinea fowl meat and start breeding them.
Listening to the MCE, experts from MoFA and the Regional Minister,one of the leading producers of guinea fowl, Mr. Henry Akanko, said he was convinced that with renewed government attention, the guinea- fowl producers will rise to the occasion. Mr. Kofi Gyamfi, a guinea- fowl industrialist who initiated the Gees fresh point, the larges Guinea fowl procession unit in Ghana said his factory is ready to lead the revolution in Guinea fowl production across West Africa and even for export.
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