The Women in Poultry Value Chain-Apex Ghana (Northern Chapter) has appealed to the government to provide support to women in the poultry sector to enhance the country’s poultry production and curb unemployment. This call was made during the celebration of International Women’s Day in Tamale on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
According to the Chairperson for the Northern Regional Women in Poultry Value Chain and National Vice Chair of the WIPVaC, Madam Comfort Asitik, the women in poultry sector face numerous challenges, including difficulties in marketing their products due to competition from imported chicken. Madam Asitik emphasized that the price of imported chicken is lower due to subsidies, making it challenging for local poultry farmers to compete.
The Women in Poultry Value Chain-Apex Ghana (Northern Chapter) is seeking government support in three key areas:- Market Access: The organization is calling on the government and other organizations to open up the market and help the local poultry sector penetrate into schools, hospitals, prisons, and other institutions.
“One of the major challenges facing women in the poultry sector is marketing. The market is low due to competition from imported chicken, which is subsidized and priced lower than our local products,” Comfort Asitik explained.
Capital Support: The women in poultry sector need capital to boost their production, and the organization is appealing to the government to offer loans with minimal interest.
“We need loans with minimal interest to help us boost our production and participation in the sector,” she said.
Policy Support: The organization is also seeking government support to enhance the poultry sector, which will create more jobs and contribute to economic growth.
Empowering women in the poultry sector is crucial to addressing some of the key goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including reducing poverty, achieving zero hunger, and promoting gender equality. Comfort Asitik emphasized the importance of empowering women in the poultry sector, stating, “We want to accelerate our actions to bridge the gap between women and men in the poultry sector.”
The Women in Poultry Value Chain-Apex Ghana (Northern Chapter) has been contributing to the community since its launch in August 2018, with various social programs, including visits to orphanages, health centers, and prisons, where they donate eggs and chicken.