The Ghanaian government has announced plans to launch the Nkoko Nkitinkiti poultry programme in October, aiming to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported chicken and strengthen domestic food security. According to Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku, the programme is currently under pilot and has shown promising results, with the birds used in the pilot phase performing well.

The government will procure 3 million birds, distributing them to various stakeholders. Each constituency will receive 10,000 birds free of charge, benefiting local farmers and communities. Additionally, 50 existing commercial-scale farmers will receive 80,000 birds each on a cost-recovery basis, supporting large-scale poultry production. Medium-scale farmers will also receive between 1,000 and 3,000 birds each, with repayment terms, to boost their production capacity.

The programme is expected to cost the government approximately GHS200 million. Minister Opoku emphasized that the initiative will help cut poultry imports, stimulate local production, and create jobs across the value chain.

Ghana currently imports over 80% of its poultry needs, a situation Minister Opoku described as unsustainable. He expressed optimism that the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme will significantly reduce imports and reposition the poultry sector to meet rising domestic demand.

Despite challenges such as illegal mining’s impact on arable land, Minister Opoku maintained that Ghana remains food secure. The poultry programme forms part of a broader agricultural strategy that includes expanded support for rice and tomato production, as well as collaboration with processing plants to absorb gluts and stabilize prices.

The Minister emphasized that these initiatives will complement the poultry programme and help safeguard Ghana’s long-term food sovereignty. By boosting local production and reducing imports, the government aims to create a more sustainable and resilient food system for the country.