From Blueprints to Birds: Dell Sika CEO Peter Tettey’s Bold Move into Farming
In the bustling port city of Tema, where construction cranes once defined his skyline, Peter Tettey, CEO of Dell Sika Company Limited, is rewriting his story. Known for his real estate and construction ventures, Tettey has traded some of his blueprints for bird feed, and the sound of cement mixers for the clucks of chickens. His mission is to contribute to Ghana’s food security while creating jobs and inspiring the youth.
In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show, Tettey revealed that his journey into agriculture began not out of boredom or failure, but from a deep conviction. “I wanted to diversify,” he explained. “Construction will always be my first love, but Ghana needs more people producing food, not just buildings.” Located in Tsopoli, his farm is steadily making waves. With 1,200 birds in a deep litter system and a growing pepper plantation, Tettey has carved out a niche—combining poultry with crop farming to maximize land use and profits.
Transitioning from real estate to agriculture hasn’t been without challenges. “In construction, you control almost every variable—materials, timelines, workforce. But with farming, nature is in charge,” Tettey said. “You can’t argue with the rain or the sun.” Still, his problem-solving skills from years in construction have proven valuable. He’s applied the same meticulous planning he used for building houses to structuring efficient poultry housing and irrigation systems.
Tettey’s farm is more than just rows of crops and poultry houses—it’s a vision for sustainable agriculture. His deep litter poultry system reduces disease risks and boosts bird health. He sells eggs and poultry meat locally, while the peppers find their way to markets across Tema and Accra. But it’s not a cheap venture. “Water alone costs me about GHC 2,000 every month,” he revealed. “Farming isn’t for the faint-hearted. You have to be ready for the costs, the sleepless nights, and the constant care animals and crops need.”
Beyond profits, Tettey used the SVTV Africa platform to send a message to Ghana’s youth: “Not everyone needs to be in an office to be successful. Vocational skills—farming, masonry, carpentry—can build wealth just as much as a white-collar job, if not more.” He expressed concern about the current trend where many young Ghanaians abandon apprenticeships for the promise of Free SHS and an office job. “We can’t all be office workers,” he warned. “If we keep neglecting the trades, we’ll have to keep importing foreign labor.”
In his construction days, Tettey saw firsthand how Togolese masons dominate Ghana’s building sites. “Our young people think such work is beneath them,” he said. “But those same masons are sending money home, building houses, and educating their children.”
Looking ahead, Tettey plans to expand beyond 1,200 birds, aiming for 5,000 within two years, and to add more crop varieties. He also hopes to open his farm for vocational training programs, giving young people hands-on skills they can turn into income. “My vision,” he concluded, “is to see more young Ghanaians in boots, not just suits—building farms, feeding the nation, and creating real wealth from the soil.”