President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday officially launched the ‘Nkokɔ Nketenkete’ Initiative in Kumasi, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to reviving Ghana’s once-vibrant poultry industry.
The initiative, which forms part of the government’s broader agricultural revitalization agenda, seeks to increase local poultry production, create sustainable jobs, and drastically reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported chicken and poultry products.
Speaking at the launch, President Mahama described the initiative as a “bold and practical step” toward restoring Ghana’s self-sufficiency in poultry farming. He emphasized that the programme will empower local farmers, strengthen agribusiness value chains, and stimulate economic growth, particularly in rural communities.
“The ‘Nkokɔ Nketenkete’ initiative is about returning dignity and profit to Ghanaian farmers. We want to see our markets filled with locally produced chicken, raised by hardworking Ghanaians, not imports,”
— President Mahama said.
Under the initiative, the government will provide poultry farmers with access to affordable feed, improved breeds, training, and modern processing facilities. It will also support the establishment of feed mills and hatcheries across the regions to enhance productivity and ensure consistency in supply.
The programme is expected to be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ghana Poultry Farmers Association, and private sector partners.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, in his remarks, commended the President’s vision, stating that the project would not only create thousands of jobs but also reduce Ghana’s poultry import bill, which currently exceeds hundreds of millions of cedis annually.
Local farmers and stakeholders present at the launch welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and transformative for the agricultural sector.
The ‘Nkokɔ Nketenkete’ Initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to promote food security, youth employment, and local industrialization through agriculture-led growth.
