The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched the second phase of its Livestock Marketing Support Programme (PACBAO) to strengthen the livestock and meat value chain across the region.
The initiative, unveiled at a knowledge-sharing workshop in Ghana, is designed to modernise production systems, improve post-harvest management, and encourage public-private investment. It also aims to integrate pastoral farmers into value chains while addressing the region's growing demand for healthy meat products.
Ghana's Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Eric Opoku, noted that livestock contributes about 14 percent of agricultural GDP but domestic shortfalls force the country to rely heavily on meat imports. He stressed that phase two must build on the successes of the first phase, which ran from 2018 to 2023, to transform the sector and improve food security.
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Ms. Janine Walz of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation added that livestock is more than an economic sector—it provides resilience and income for millions of families.
She highlighted persistent challenges such as limited market access, cross-border trade barriers, weak sanitary standards, and insufficient opportunities for youth and women, urging ECOWAS to accelerate programme delivery.
Mr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, said the initiative will help create an organised and stable livestock market capable of attracting private investment, while furthering the bloc's regional integration agenda.
