The government has announced plans to officially launch the Nkoko Nkitinkiti poultry programme in October as part of efforts to reduce Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported chicken and strengthen domestic food security.
Speaking on Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, September 28, 2025, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku clarified that the initiative has not yet been launched but is currently under pilot. “The birds we used for the pilot are doing well,” he confirmed.
Programme Details
Under the rollout, government will procure 3 million birds, with each constituency set to receive 10,000 birds free of charge. In addition, 80,000 birds will be supplied to 50 existing commercial-scale farmers, while medium-scale farmers will receive between 1,000 and 3,000 birds each.
The Minister explained that while commercial and medium-scale farmers will be required to pay back the cost, the birds allocated to constituencies will be distributed at no cost to beneficiaries.
The programme is expected to cost government approximately GHS200 million.
Currently, Ghana imports more than 80% of its poultry needs, a situation Mr. Opoku described as unsustainable. He expressed optimism that the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ programme will significantly cut imports and reposition the poultry sector to meet rising domestic demand.
Source: By Evans Effah (3news.com)
