Seth Akoto Ofei, an electrical engineer with a deep-seated passion for agriculture, has successfully integrated his technical expertise with his farming aspirations to create a thriving poultry business centered around locally manufactured incubators. Driven by the inconvenience and expense of regularly travelling long distances to Accra to procure day-old chicks for his farm in Cape Coast, Ofei embarked on a journey of innovation inspired by his father’s encouragement. His initial attempts at incubator construction were fraught with challenges, yielding disappointing hatch rates that could have easily discouraged a less determined individual. However, Ofei’s persistence, combined with keen observation of natural incubation processes, ultimately led to a breakthrough.
Ofei’s meticulous observation of brooding hens revealed a crucial element missing from his initial incubator designs: egg rotation. Mimicking this natural behavior by incorporating an automatic rotation system into his incubator dramatically improved the hatch rate, boosting it to a promising 50%. This success fueled his ambition, culminating in the development of two large-capacity incubators capable of hatching a combined total of 1,556 eggs. This achievement not only eliminated his dependence on external chick suppliers but also paved the way for a more sustainable and locally-driven poultry farming model. The journey from initial failure to eventual triumph, a process spanning a year, underscores Ofei’s resilience and commitment to innovation.
Ofei’s commitment to local production extends beyond simply hatching chicks. He strongly advocates for the advantages of locally bred birds, highlighting their superior hardiness and disease resistance compared to imported breeds. This focus on locally adapted poultry contributes to greater biosecurity and reduces the risk of introducing diseases that might affect local flocks. His belief in the superiority of his birds stems from his observation of significantly lower mortality rates and increased resilience to local environmental conditions. This emphasis on local breeding represents a shift towards a more self-reliant and sustainable poultry industry in Ghana.
Beyond merely replicating existing breeds, Ofei has embarked on a project of developing a unique, locally adapted breed of fowl, which he has christened ‘Ɔkunkɔm nam,’ meaning “fowl with a lot of meat.” This breed, meticulously developed since 2019 through the selective breeding of superior fowls sourced from various villages and towns around Cape Coast, is characterized by its larger size, heavier weight, and distinctive appearance. The ‘Ɔkunkɔm nam’ fowl is not just aesthetically distinct; Ofei claims its meat is more tender and flavorful than that of conventional poultry, further adding to its appeal. This initiative demonstrates his commitment to not only producing poultry but also contributing to food security and culinary diversity in Ghana.
Ofei’s innovative approach aligns with broader national objectives aimed at revitalizing Ghana’s poultry sector. President John Mahama’s campaign pledge to support poultry startups with incentives such as day-old chicks and ovens resonates strongly with Ofei’s vision. He sees a potential synergy between his own capacity for chick production and the government’s initiatives to empower youth in poultry farming. Ofei believes that by scaling up his incubator production and supplying day-old chicks, he can contribute significantly to the government’s goals while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for young people. This collaborative approach promises to reduce reliance on imported chicks, often characterized by high mortality rates, and strengthen local capacity for sustainable poultry production.
Ofei’s story is not just a testament to individual ingenuity but also a call for greater government support for local entrepreneurs. He believes that a modest investment in his operations could significantly amplify his production capacity, enabling him to contribute meaningfully to the national poultry industry and create jobs for young people. His appeal highlights the potential for synergistic partnerships between the government and local innovators to drive economic growth and achieve national development goals. Ofei’s entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with his dedication to innovation and local empowerment, exemplifies the transformative power of homegrown solutions in addressing national challenges. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and a compelling case for investing in local talent and innovation.
