Aligning policy for success in developing countries: evidence from the poultry sector of Ghana

Abstract This paper examines policy coherence in Ghana's poultry sector by assessing potential interactions between policy objectives. Using panel simultaneous equation models and the data-driven synthetic control method, we analyze the effects of policy interventions on domestic poultry production during 1999–2019. Our findings underscore the impact of policies enacted during this period on the growth of domestic poultry production. However, growth in production remains notably lower than the escalating imports of frozen poultry meat. Our coherence analysis identifies lowering production costs and enhancing productivity as crucial policy objectives that could positively affect food security and rural development. Nonetheless, we caution against prioritizing one objective over others, as this may adversely affect overall policy coherence and outcomes. Specifically, our study emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between fostering domestic production and ensuring food security.