A leading academic has called for a research-led transformation of Ghana’s guinea fowl industry, warning that without innovation and targeted investment, the subsector will continue to fall short of its potential to improve nutrition and rural livelihoods.
Abdul-Rahman Ibn Iddriss, Dean of the School of Veterinary Sciences at the University for Development Studies (UDS), made the call during his inaugural professorial lecture in Tamale, where he highlighted critical gaps in research, policy, and farmer support systems.
Delivering a lecture titled “Nature’s Neglected Gift: Reproductive Insights into the Guinea Fowl and the Quest to Feed Africa,” he argued that Ghana’s guinea fowl subsector has remained underdeveloped despite multiple government and donor-backed initiatives.
Rather than focusing solely on past programme shortcomings, Prof. Ibn Iddriss emphasised the need for a forward-looking approach anchored in scientific research and innovation. He identified key areas requiring urgent attention, including improving local guinea fowl breeds, developing standardised feeding systems, and creating vaccination protocols tailored specifically to the species.
He also stressed the importance of breaking the birds’ seasonal breeding cycle to ensure consistent production throughout the year—an intervention he believes could significantly boost supply and farmer incomes.
Beyond research, the professor highlighted structural challenges such as high mortality rates among young birds, limited access to quality feed, and weak veterinary support, particularly in rural communities. He proposed the establishment of specialised brooding centres to supply stronger, more resilient keets to farmers, reducing losses at the early stages of production.
Another key concern raised was the lack of differentiation in policy support for farmers. Prof. Ibn Iddriss argued that treating commercial producers and smallholder farmers as a single group has limited the effectiveness of interventions, calling instead for tailored policies that reflect their different needs and capacities.
He further advocated increased investment in veterinary services, including the training and deployment of more professionals in underserved areas, as well as strengthening extension systems to equip farmers with practical knowledge in disease control and improved husbandry practices.
Central to his proposal is the adoption of a collaborative “Triple Helix” model—bringing together academia, industry, farmers, and policymakers—to ensure that research findings are translated into real-world solutions.
Prof. Ibn Iddriss maintained that unlocking the guinea fowl subsector could play a significant role in addressing Protein-Energy Malnutrition, boosting local economies, and reducing poverty, particularly in northern Ghana.
