Presidential Advisor and aide to President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, says Ghana may not see immediate results from current government policies, but insists the country is moving in the right direction.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, December 19, Ms Bawah called for patience and collective support for government initiatives, particularly those aimed at boosting local production and improving livelihoods.
Referencing the launch of the Nkuko Nkitinkiti project in the Ashanti Region, she explained that the focus is on strengthening existing private sector businesses rather than starting new ones.
“When the ‘Nkuko Nkitinkiti’ was launched in the Ashanti Region, you saw the company that we visited. They are an existing poultry business. You saw the commissioning of the feed factory. It’s an existing business. It’s actually a private sector initiative.”
She said such projects demonstrate that progress takes time and must be built incrementally.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day. I am convinced that we are on the right track. But like I keep saying, all of us must support these initiatives.”
Ms Bawah identified the high cost of animal feed as a major challenge confronting poultry and fish farmers, noting that local feed production could significantly reduce costs.
“It starts from a certain point. My brother used to run a huge fish farm. One of the biggest challenges was about finding feed. The poultry farmers will tell you the cost of importing feed.”
According to her, producing feed locally could halve production costs and provide farmers with greater flexibility to expand.
“If we start to manufacture feed here, half of the cost is gone. What it means is that it even gives more latitude to these farmers.”
Addressing concerns about beneficiaries of such initiatives, she urged the public to take a broader view.
“Instead of focusing on the number of persons who are benefiting at this time, in any case, an existing poultry farmer has resources already. His business is in motion,” she said.
Ms Bawah also expressed concern about Ghana’s heavy dependence on imported chicken, much of which she described as low quality.
“Have you asked yourself how much we import of chicken cuts that people in other countries don’t want?” she asked. “The most valuable part of chicken in Europe and the Americas is the chicken breast. Everything else nobody wants.”
She stressed that national development requires shared responsibility across all sectors.
“We all have a certain responsibility. There will be overlaps between what the government can do, what the judiciary can do, what the media can do, and what civil society can do.”
She said there is growing consensus on the need for collective action to fight illegal mining, protect the environment, and improve living standards.
“For the very first time, we are all agreeing that we must all stand up and support government in this endeavour,” she said.
On the economy, Ms Bawah praised recent stability in the local currency, describing it as a significant positive development.
“One of the best things lately is that our currency, for the very first time in many years, has remained consistent, which allows people to plan,” she said.
She concluded by expressing confidence in President Mahama’s leadership and vision.
“I have always believed in President Mahama’s intentions for Ghana. All he has to do now is create the policies, ensure there’s an enabling environment, and be sure that the individuals you send to undertake these duties will do so in absolute faithfulness to the people of Ghana.”
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