President John Dramani Mahama will on Wednesday launch the government’s new poultry initiative, Nkoko NKitikiti, under the Feed Ghana programme, to boost domestic poultry production and reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported chicken and eggs.
Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku said the initiative is designed to promote backyard poultry farming among households while supporting small and medium-scale producers to expand and strengthen the poultry value chain.
“The Nkoko NKitikiti project is to stimulate individual and household interest in poultry production,” Mr. Opoku said in an interview. “Beyond that, we are working with experienced poultry farmers to scale up operations and close the gap between supply and demand.”
He explained that the policy is structured in three phases, household-level production through backyard poultry, medium-scale farming, and support for large commercial producers. “We want every segment of the poultry industry to benefit,” he said. “Our goal is to build a sustainable and profitable poultry sector that creates jobs and cuts import dependency.”
Mr. Opoku noted that the Ministry is collaborating with private investors to establish a poultry processing plant at Ejisu to buy and process birds from farmers. “We are also strengthening existing private processors with donor support to expand their capacity,” he added. “When the full chain, from production to processing, is in place, the market challenges farmers face will ease.”
Responding to concerns by the Bono Poultry Farmers Association that they were not consulted on the programme, Mr. Opoku dismissed the claims as inaccurate. “We have met with poultry associations and leading farmers on three separate occasions,” he said. “Perhaps those raising the issue were not part of the engagements.”
He mentioned that the initiative will rely entirely on locally sourced inputs. “All the day-old chicks and feed for Nkoko NKitikiti are being supplied by Ghanaian producers,” Mr. Opoku said. “This is part of our effort to domesticate the value chain, grow the local economy, and support Ghanaian agribusinesses.”
While welcoming the strong response to government’s poultry campaign, the minister acknowledged that increased production has contributed to a current glut in the egg market. He said the government has already taken steps to address the situation.
“Following reports from poultry farmers about an unprecedented egg glut, President Mahama has directed the Ministry of Education to procure the excess eggs for the school feeding programme,” Mr. Opoku revealed. “That process is underway to ensure farmers do not lose their investment.”
He explained that while the National Food Buffer Stock Company continues to handle the purchase of grains such as rice and maize, egg procurement will be managed directly by the Ministry of Education.
Mr. Opoku described the intervention as part of a broader government policy to stabilize agricultural markets. “For the first time in Ghana’s history, government is entering the market to mop up excess produce,” he said. “It’s a deliberate step to protect farmers, maintain price stability, and sustain investment in agriculture.”
He added that an initial GH¢200 million has been allocated to clear surplus grains and eggs, with discussions ongoing with the World Food Programme and other partners to raise an additional GH¢300 million to fully respond to the glut.
“The Nkoko NKitikiti programme and our market interventions are both aimed at strengthening Ghana’s food systems,” Mr. Opoku said. “We are ensuring that local farmers have the support, inputs, and market access they need to thrive.”
