Ghana has announced plans to achieve full self-sufficiency in chicken production within the next three years, as part of efforts to cut imports and strengthen its poultry industry.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama pledged during a visit to the National Service Authority (NSA) poultry farm in Accra, where he toured the facility despite heavy rainfall. 

He described the farm’s operations as “impressive” and promised to support its growth into a “centre of excellence for production, training, and research.”

President Mahama revealed that the Finance Ministry had been directed to assess the farm’s operations and recommend government interventions to strengthen the poultry sector. 

He added that financial and policy support would ensure long-term sustainability.

A major highlight of the initiative is the much-anticipated Nkoko Nkitinkiti Project, which will officially launch next month. 

The project will distribute day-old chicks, feed, and vaccination support to farmers at all levels, from large-scale producers to young entrepreneurs and households.

Under the scheme, large-scale farmers are expected to receive four million day-old chicks, medium-scale farmers three million, while youth and household producers will be supported with inputs and a guaranteed buy-back arrangement. 

Processed birds will then be sold under the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” brand in supermarkets and cold stores nationwide.

“This initiative will cut down poultry imports, retain millions of dollars in the economy, and encourage Ghanaians to eat home-grown chicken,” President Mahama said.

Speaking on the farm’s history, Ms Ruth Dela Seddoh, Director-General of the NSA, noted that the poultry unit started in the 1990s with just 2,500 birds and now manages about 70,000. 

She described the facility as a model for youth-driven agriculture and called for government support to establish a modern processing plant to expand capacity.

Source: Ghanaian Times

Image Credit: Metro TV