Nkoko Nkitinkiti: Gov’t readies GHC200m poultry programme to cut imports

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to roll out the much-anticipated ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ Programme in the first week of October. The initiative is expected to reduce Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported poultry, which costs the country over $300 million annually.

Under the programme, the government will procure 3 million birds for distribution. Each constituency will receive 10,000 birds free of charge, while 80,000 birds will be allocated to 50 commercial-scale farmers. Medium-scale farmers are also expected to benefit, receiving between 1,000 and 3,000 birds each.

According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, commercial and medium-scale farmers will be required to repay the cost of the birds, but the allocations to constituencies will remain free to beneficiaries. The initiative is projected to cost the government approximately GHC200 million.

Currently, Ghana imports over 80% of its poultry needs, a situation the Ministry has described as unsustainable. Officials are confident that the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme will reduce imports, enhance domestic production, and strengthen the poultry sector to meet rising demand.

The rollout was initially scheduled for July but was delayed, raising concerns among poultry farmers over the lack of updates.

“It’s been touted for a long time, but from where we sit, I don’t know what is holding back the launch. What we are asking for is an update to farmer associations so we can plan accordingly. For instance, if I raise my birds now, in less than two months, they’ll be ready. But the question is, when they are fully matured, where do I take them?”
— Kwame Anim Somuah, President of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association

Speaking at a recent engagement, Minister of Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku assured stakeholders that the programme is on track.

“Plans are at an advanced stage, and it is expected that by the first week of October, His Excellency the President will officially launch the programme. The media will be invited, after which distribution will begin across constituencies. We are finalising the beneficiary list and completing procurement processes with contractors. Very soon, implementation will take off,” he said.