John Mahama projects Bechem to become Ghana's chicken capital

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the ongoing construction of the Poultry and Meat Processing Factory in Bechem, Ahafo Region, has reached the 50% completion milestone. During an inspection tour of the project site, the President projected that the facility would transform Bechem into the "chicken capital" of Ghana once it is fully operational. The factory, which began construction on November 27, 2025, is currently scheduled for commissioning by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

The project is a central component of the government's broader "Nkoko Nketenkete" initiative, which aims to revitalize the domestic poultry sector and reduce reliance on imports. President Mahama highlighted the significant progress already made under this program, noting that domestic poultry production in Ghana has risen from a low of 4.6% to 22% since the initiative's inception. He emphasized that the Bechem factory would provide the necessary infrastructure to sustain this growth and bolster national food security.

Addressing the local community during his visit, President Mahama encouraged the youth in the Ahafo Region to take up poultry farming as a viable and profitable business venture. He assured prospective farmers of a ready market for their produce, as the new factory will serve as a reliable off-taker for local poultry. The President stated that the facility is designed not only for meat processing but also to create numerous direct and indirect jobs for residents, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Supporting the President's assessment, the Minister of Food and Agriculture indicated that the recent increase in domestic production is a direct result of targeted government interventions and private sector engagement. As the factory enters its final phases of construction over the next year, the government intends to continue supporting smallholder farmers to ensure a steady supply of birds for the processing plant. The successful completion of the Bechem factory is expected to serve as a model for similar industrial poultry projects across other regions in Ghana.