Ghana is set to boost local food production with the upcoming launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti poultry programme in October.
The initiative aims to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported chicken and strengthen domestic food security.
Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku explained on Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor that the programme is still in its pilot phase, but early signs are promising. “The birds we used for the pilot are doing well,” he noted.
Under the full rollout, government will distribute three million birds, with each constituency receiving 10,000 birds at no cost.
Commercial farmers will get 80,000 birds across 50 farms, while medium-scale farmers will receive between 1,000 and 3,000 birds on a cost-recovery basis. The programme is expected to cost around GHS200 million.
Mr. Opoku described Ghana’s current poultry import levels—over 80% of national demand—as unsustainable. “Ghana consumes a lot of poultry compared to a country like Nigeria. With this initiative, we can change the narrative and stop excessive importation,” he said.
He added that reducing poultry imports could also help limit the inflow of other foreign products such as tripe.
Despite challenges like illegal mining affecting arable land, he maintained that “we are food secured by all standards.”
