The government has set an ambitious target to supply seven million poultry birds nationwide this year under the Nkoko Nkitinkinti project, a key component of its broader strategy to expand domestic poultry output and cut down on meat imports.
The initiative falls under the Feed Ghana Programme (FGP), the government’s flagship agricultural transformation agenda. Speaking at the launch of the distribution exercise in Accra last Friday, February 13, the FGP National Coordinator, Bright Kwadzo Demordzi, explained that the plan involves identifying, training and equipping poultry farmers across the country before allocating the birds.
According to him, the programme is open to both household and commercial farmers operating at small, medium and large scales. Beneficiaries will undergo capacity-building sessions to strengthen their technical know-how prior to receiving the birds.
The Accra launch, held at the residence of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, brought together metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), alongside municipal chief executives from across the region.
Mr Demordzi noted that the exercise is being implemented nationwide, with some regions already covered. He indicated that distribution has taken place in parts of the Ashanti, Bono East, Ahafo and Bono regions, with the team scheduled to continue to the Eastern, Western North, Central, Western, Volta and Oti regions.
He stressed that the programme is designed as a long-term intervention, with plans to complete nationwide access by April and enrol beneficiaries for a second phase thereafter. The overarching aim, he said, is to move the country towards self-sufficiency in meat production.
Currently, Ghana produces only a small fraction of its domestic meat needs — a situation Mr Demordzi described as unsatisfactory. The government is therefore targeting a significant increase in local production, with projections of meeting between 70 and 80 per cent of national demand by 2028.
To ensure efficiency, distribution responsibilities have been decentralised to district chief executives, district directors of agriculture and animal production units under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Beyond supplying birds, the programme is also focusing on strengthening the entire poultry value chain. This includes the establishment of processing facilities in different parts of the country, with projects already underway in Bechem and Pru to enhance sustainability and value addition.
Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo described the initiative as part of a broader effort to rebuild Ghana’s capacity to produce and consume locally grown food. She said the project would empower households and commercial producers alike to increase egg and poultry production for the domestic market.
She called on metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives to ensure fairness and transparency in distributing the birds and other inputs, and to encourage strict adherence to technical guidelines. She also commended the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Feed Ghana Programme team for turning policy commitments into practical interventions.
During the event, the Regional Minister also presented 100 streetlights to each MMDA in the region to enhance public safety. She urged local authorities to prioritise installation in key areas such as markets, lorry stations and major intersections.
About The Author
More Stories
Minority Demands Resignation of COCOBOD CEO Amidst Cocoa Sector Woes
Minority Accuses Government of Inadequate Cocoa Price Increase
Cocoa Price Dispute: Mahama Criticizes Government’s Offer to Farmers