March 30, 2010

Ghana promises support for poultry industry

Ghana has announced that it will support the poultry industry but it stopped short of introducing a ban on the import of poultry products.

Vice President John Dramani Mahama said on March 26 that Ghana has a comparative advantage in rice and poultry production and the government would strive to promote growth in the two economic ventures.

"We cannot ban the importation of rice and poultry because we might be flouting the World Trade Organisation rules, and so what we can do is to protect these industries from outside companies by supporting them to survive in the open market competition," he said.

Mahama made the observation when a five-member Korean Business delegation paid a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle, to outline their business plan for Ghana.

Mahama said Ghana was on track in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially the eradication of poverty, which had the potential of making the country self-sufficient and an exporter of food.

Ha Young-Je, Korean Vice Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said his country would provide training programmes for Ghanaian fisheries officials to strengthen the tuna fishing industry this year.

He said, "Korea will help in the establishment of development model, strengthen support in Ghana's fisheries development and will require active support to Korean fisheries companies in Ghana."