Senior High Schools (SHSs), registered poultry farmers and constituencies across Ghana are set to benefit from the government’s flagship Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) intensifies efforts to transform the country’s poultry industry and improve food security.
The initiative, which seeks to boost local poultry production and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported chicken, will provide birds to farmers and constituencies while encouraging selected schools to venture into poultry farming and crop cultivation.
Speaking on the programme, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Samuel Huntor, said the government is currently identifying Senior High Schools that will participate in the initiative.
“Government is currently selecting some Senior High Schools to rear fowl and grow their own food crops in order to be food sufficient,” Mr Huntor said.
He explained that the intervention is expected to reduce feeding costs for schools while exposing students to practical agricultural skills.
Mr Huntor further disclosed that every constituency in the country will benefit from the programme.
“Every constituency is to have 10,000 birds from the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme,” he stated.
He noted that the distribution is expected to increase poultry production across the country while creating employment opportunities in the sector.
The MoFA spokesperson also clarified that registered poultry farmers will receive more birds than previously reported.
“Every registered farmer in our records is to receive 50 birds each and not five,” he stressed.
According to him, the allocation is intended to give farmers a stronger foundation to expand their poultry businesses and contribute to national food production.
As part of efforts to strengthen the poultry value chain, Mr Huntor said government is constructing a modern poultry processing factory at Bechem.
“We are building a poultry processing factory at Bechem which will process over 3,000 birds per hour,” he said.
He added that the project will also feature a large hatchery to ensure a steady supply of chicks to poultry farmers.
“The Bechem factory will hatch 92,000 birds per hour when completed,” he added.
Mr Huntor said the investment is expected to improve local processing capacity, reduce post-harvest losses and lessen Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry products.
Highlighting the need for the initiative, he said poultry consumption in Ghana continues to grow.
“Every Ghanaian consumes chicken 14 kilograms a year. We consume over 350,000 birds a year as Ghanaians; therefore, the inception of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme,” he explained.
He said the programme is designed to bridge the gap between local production and national demand while making poultry farming more attractive and profitable.
Mr Huntor also praised the leadership of the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku.
“Hon. Eric Opoku is a politician who always speaks with facts and abides by his words,” he said.
Touching on the country’s fiscal situation, the MoFA spokesperson said government remains committed to meeting its financial obligations despite economic challenges.
“This year, government is paying $125 billion in legacy debt,” he noted.
The Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme forms part of the government’s broader strategy to revitalise Ghana’s poultry industry, improve food security, create jobs and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported chicken through increased local production.