The facility is expected to become operational by the end of March 2027, strengthening the government’s Nkoko Nketenkete programme and creating new opportunities across Ghana’s poultry industry.
President John Dramani Mahama has inspected the ongoing construction of the Bechem Poultry, Meat and Feed Processing Factory in the Ahafo Region, as the government intensifies efforts to expand domestic poultry production and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported chicken.
The inspection took place during the President’s Resetting Ghana tour of the Ahafo Region, where he assessed progress on the project and received updates from officials overseeing its construction.
The facility is expected to become operational by the end of the first quarter of 2027, according to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku. When completed, it is expected to provide processing capacity for locally raised poultry, create opportunities for farmers and strengthen the connection between production and the market.
The project forms part of the government’s broader agricultural development agenda under the Feed Ghana Programme and is intended to support the Nkoko Nketenkete initiative, which seeks to increase household and commercial poultry production.
According to Mr Opoku, Ghana’s domestic poultry production increased from 4.6 per cent to 22 per cent as of May 2026 following the implementation of the programme. The government is hoping that improved processing, feed production and market access will help sustain that progress. <Cite refs={["turn281945search1","turn281945search2","turn281945search3"]}/>
Mahama Calls for Regular Monitoring of the Project
President Mahama said his visit was intended to assess the progress of construction and ensure that the project continued moving towards completion.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress reported during the inspection and commended Architecture and Engineering Services Limited, the consultants on the project.
The President emphasised the importance of monitoring major public projects after contracts have been awarded, noting that regular inspections help government assess implementation and identify issues that could delay delivery.
The factory is expected to become an important agricultural processing centre for Bechem and surrounding communities. Its planned operations are designed to support poultry farmers by creating a facility where locally raised birds can be processed and prepared for distribution to consumers.
President Mahama also encouraged young people in Bechem and nearby communities to consider poultry farming and other businesses connected to the industry.
He said the opportunities would not be limited to raising chickens. Young entrepreneurs could also participate in transporting, distributing and selling processed poultry products in different parts of the country.
The government hopes that the facility will help establish Bechem as a major centre for poultry production and processing in Ghana. <Cite refs={["turn281945search1","turn281945search4"]}/>
Nkoko Nketenkete Records Growth in Domestic Poultry Production
A central part of the project is its connection to the Nkoko Nketenkete programme, which was launched in November 2025 as a household and backyard poultry production initiative.
The programme was designed to encourage Ghanaians to raise poultry, improve household livelihoods, support food security and reduce the country’s reliance on imported frozen chicken.
Under its initial phase, beneficiaries were expected to receive 50 chicks, feed support and technical guidance to help them establish poultry-rearing activities.
The initiative forms part of the wider Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to strengthen domestic food production and create opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness.
Speaking during the Bechem inspection, Mr Opoku reported that domestic poultry production had risen from 4.6 per cent to 22 per cent as of May 2026.
The increase is significant in the context of Ghana’s long-standing dependence on imported poultry products. However, sustaining production growth will require more than distributing chicks and encouraging households to raise birds.
Farmers need affordable feed, access to veterinary services, reliable markets and the ability to sell their products at prices that cover their costs.
The Bechem facility is intended to address some of these challenges by linking poultry production to industrial processing and distribution.
If the production and processing components work together effectively, farmers could have a more predictable route to market, while processors could obtain a steady supply of locally raised birds.
The reported increase in domestic production is an encouraging development, but its long-term impact will depend on whether farmers can maintain production levels and earn sustainable incomes. <Cite refs={["turn281945search2","turn281945search6"]}/>
Factory to Process 6,000 Birds Per Hour
One of the most significant features of the Bechem project is its planned processing capacity.
According to reports from the inspection, the facility is expected to have two production lines for broilers and layers, with a combined capacity of up to 6,000 birds per hour.
The project is also expected to include a feed mill, cold-storage facilities and a hatchery to support poultry production and processing.
These components are intended to create a more integrated system in which birds can be raised, supplied, processed, stored and distributed through a coordinated value chain.
The distinction is important because increasing poultry production without sufficient processing and storage capacity can create difficulties for farmers, particularly when many producers bring their birds to market at the same time.
A processing facility with adequate cold storage could help businesses manage supply more efficiently and prepare products for different markets.
The planned feed mill could also support farmers by strengthening the supply of poultry feed, although the affordability and availability of feed will remain important considerations.
The hatchery is expected to contribute to the supply of birds for farmers participating in the programme, helping to connect production with the factory’s demand.
The success of these facilities will depend on reliable electricity, water, equipment maintenance, food-safety controls, skilled workers and effective management.
The stated processing capacity also represents a potential maximum rather than a guarantee of actual daily output. Real production will depend on the supply of birds, operational hours, maintenance requirements and market demand. <Cite refs={["turn281945search3","turn281945search4","turn281945search8"]}/>
Government Plans to Create a Reliable Market for Farmers
A major challenge facing poultry farmers is the uncertainty surrounding where and when they can sell their products.
The Bechem project is expected to help address that challenge through arrangements that connect farmers directly to the processing facility.
Mr Opoku said plans were underway for the factory to enter into contractual agreements with poultry farmers in the Ashanti, Upper East and other regions to purchase their birds for processing.
Such agreements could provide farmers with a clearer understanding of demand and the conditions under which their products will be purchased.
For small-scale producers, a reliable buyer can make a difference when deciding whether to expand a poultry business, invest in better housing or purchase additional chicks.
However, the practical details of these arrangements will matter. Farmers will need clear information about quality requirements, delivery schedules, pricing, payment terms and the number of birds the factory is prepared to purchase.
Contracts must also be structured in a way that allows farmers to recover production costs and earn reasonable returns.
If the arrangements are transparent and commercially sustainable, the factory could help strengthen relationships between small-scale farmers and larger agricultural businesses.
The government will also need to ensure that farmers who participate in the Nkoko Nketenkete programme understand how they can access the processing market and what standards they must meet.
An effective supply system will be essential if the factory is to operate consistently rather than experience periods when its processing capacity exceeds the number of birds available.
Egg Surplus Highlights the Need for Better Markets
The reported increase in poultry production has also brought attention to the importance of developing markets for eggs and other poultry products.
Mr Opoku said the country had experienced a sustained surplus of eggs in the domestic market, prompting the government to explore additional outlets.
According to the minister, Ghana had begun exporting eggs to Burkina Faso following engagements intended to secure access to the neighbouring country’s market.
The government has also considered measures to increase domestic consumption, including plans to work with the Ministry of Education on incorporating eggs into meals served under the School Feeding Programme.
These developments illustrate an important point: agricultural programmes must consider demand and distribution alongside production.
When supply rises faster than demand, farmers may struggle to sell their products at profitable prices. A surplus can create pressure on prices, increase storage costs and lead to financial losses if producers cannot find buyers quickly enough.
The Bechem factory is expected to focus on poultry meat processing, while its wider infrastructure could support the industry’s overall production system.
The government will therefore need to pursue complementary measures that strengthen domestic consumption, develop export markets where commercially viable and improve storage and transport.
For Ghana’s poultry industry, the objective should not simply be to produce more birds and eggs, but to ensure that producers can sell them efficiently and consumers can access them at affordable prices. <Cite refs={["turn281945search2","turn281945search8"]}/>
Employment and Business Opportunities for Young People
The factory could create employment opportunities in processing, packaging, refrigeration, transport, administration and equipment maintenance.
Additional opportunities may emerge for poultry farmers, feed suppliers, veterinary service providers, retailers and businesses involved in distributing finished products.
Bechem and neighbouring communities could benefit if local residents are able to secure jobs and establish businesses linked to the facility.
President Mahama has encouraged young people in the area to take advantage of opportunities in poultry farming and the wider value chain.
However, the actual number of jobs expected to be created has not been established in the reports cited for this article. The scale of employment will depend on the facility’s staffing requirements, production levels and the businesses that develop around it.
Local training and recruitment could help residents prepare for available positions, while partnerships with agricultural institutions could support farmers who need technical knowledge to expand production.
For the factory to generate lasting economic benefits, employment opportunities should be accompanied by safe working conditions, appropriate training and reliable business arrangements.
The project’s impact should also be measured by how many farmers gain stable markets, how many businesses emerge and whether local households experience lasting improvements in income.
Construction Progress and the Road to 2027
During the inspection, officials reported that construction was approximately 50 per cent complete, with the contractor indicating that the facility could be completed and operationalised by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
The project has experienced delays, but the Agriculture Minister said outstanding payment certificates had been settled.
The timeline remains important because the factory is expected to support an agricultural programme that is already expanding domestic poultry production.
Completing the facility on schedule would give farmers and distributors greater clarity as they prepare for the next phase of the programme.
Before full operations begin, the project will also need the necessary equipment installation, testing, staffing, food-safety procedures and arrangements for sourcing and distributing poultry.
Meeting the construction deadline will be one milestone; operating the factory consistently and commercially will be another.
The facility’s long-term performance will depend on whether it can secure enough locally raised birds, maintain high processing standards and sell its products at competitive prices.
Conclusion
President Mahama’s inspection of the Bechem Poultry, Meat and Feed Processing Factory highlights the government’s effort to connect rising domestic poultry production with the infrastructure needed to process and market local products.
The reported increase in domestic poultry production from 4.6 per cent to 22 per cent as of May 2026 provides an important measure of the progress claimed under the Nkoko Nketenkete programme. The next challenge is to sustain that growth and ensure farmers can earn reliable incomes.
With a planned processing capacity of up to 6,000 birds per hour, the Bechem facility could become an important part of Ghana’s poultry industry if construction is completed, operations are properly managed and a consistent supply of birds is secured.
Its potential benefits extend beyond the factory itself to farmers, young entrepreneurs, transport operators, retailers and consumers.
Ultimately, the project’s success will be determined not only by the completion of its buildings and equipment, but by its ability to create a dependable market for local poultry, support competitive prices and deliver lasting economic opportunities for Ghanaians.