Collins Sefa The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has outlined plans under its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2025–2028 to rehabilitate national breeding stations and restock them with small ruminants.
The goal is to increase capacity utilization from below 15 percent to at least 50 percent, strengthening Ghana’s livestock industry as part of a broader livestock development and expansion agenda.
Breeding Stations Across the Country
MoFA currently manages seven national livestock breeding stations dedicated to different species. These include:
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Nungua Livestock Breeding Station – pigs and rabbits
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Babile – Ashanti Black pigs
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Ejura – sheep
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Kintampo – West African dwarf goats
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Pong Tamale – sheep, goats, pigs, cattle
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Nkwanta – sheep and goats
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Amrahia Dairy Farm – dairy cattle
Despite their importance, stakeholders and associations have long lamented neglect of these facilities, which has hindered their potential to support farmers with improved breeding stock and extension services.
Rising Livestock Imports
Due to underutilisation of breeding stations, Ghana continues to rely heavily on imports. Data from the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) shows that the country imported US$17.7 million worth of livestock in 2023, with cattle, goats, and sheep accounting for 70 percent of imports, mainly from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria.
Challenges Facing the Sector
The livestock industry, though crucial to food security, faces numerous challenges:
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Prevalent animal diseases and inadequate veterinary services
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Theft and shortage of pasture
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Limited access to finance and poor infrastructure
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Inadequate quality feed and housing
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Climate change effects, including extreme weather events
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Informal livestock market practices and land acquisition difficulties
Climate Change Threats
Globally, the livestock sector is grappling with the impact of climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting ecosystems, and extreme weather conditions are threatening animal health and productivity, further straining food systems and farmer livelihoods.
By revamping breeding stations and prioritizing livestock production, government aims to cut down imports, improve food security, and empower farmers with better stock and resources. The success of this initiative will depend on sustained policy attention, climate adaptation measures, and stronger stakeholder collaboration.
