– Minister Opoku Declares War on Poultry Imports
Get ready, Ghana! The government is set to unleash its highly anticipated “Nkokɔ Nketenkete” poultry farming initiative this July, promising a poultry revolution that aims to slash the nation’s staggering US$300 million annual chicken import bill.
Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku, speaking with the urgency of a general on the battlefield, declared the program’s first phase will kick off in the Northern enclave, with the grand launch slated for Kumasi in August.
This ambitious campaign, a cornerstone of the ruling party’s promises, is projected to empower a colossal 55,000 households to dive into egg and poultry production.
But it’s more than just chickens and eggs; Minister Opoku stressed that “Nkokɔ Nketenkete” is a direct assault on unemployment, particularly among the youth, by creating sustainable jobs across the agricultural value chain.
During a recent strategic visit to A2 Company, a private firm in Kumasi on the cusp of becoming a major poultry feed producer, Opoku outlined the government’s commitment. “We are commencing ‘Nkokɔ Nketenkete’ next month, July.
We are starting the first phase from the Northern enclave. Then in August, we will begin the big one in Kumasi so that individuals who want to go into poultry, government will be given chicks and some feed,” he told an eager media contingent.
The Minister’s vision is clear: flood the market with affordable feed to incentivize mass participation. “After the desire to rear chicks, if their feed is cheap everyone will develop the interest and join.
My expectation is that by close of this year and next year, all the chickens we consume are from Ghana,” Opoku asserted, his words echoing a rallying cry for national self-sufficiency.
He pledged unwavering government support to companies like A2, recognizing their critical role in achieving this audacious goal.
A2 Company, currently erecting a cutting-edge poultry feed factory under the “Nkɔkɔ Nketenkete Feed” banner, is poised to be a game-changer.
With a monumental processing and storage capacity of 30,000 tonnes of maize and soya beans, this facility is designed to be a vital supply hub, offering local farmers a reliable market for their produce while providing quality, affordable feed to poultry farmers nationwide.
Minister Opoku showered praise on A2 for its “visionary step,” hailing it as a timely private sector intervention perfectly aligned with the government’s strategic push to revitalize the poultry sector.
“This factory is not only going to help reduce the cost of feed but will also significantly support the country’s efforts to cut down on poultry imports,” he stated, emphasizing the power of public-private partnerships in tackling national challenges like food security and import dependency.
This ambitious project is expected to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, injecting much-needed vitality into local economies and deepening value addition within the agricultural sector.
The “Nkokɔ Nketenkete” program first burst into the national spotlight when President John Mahama unveiled it during his inaugural State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
The President unequivocally stated that the initiative would support 55,000 households in producing eggs and fresh poultry, directly confronting the nation’s alarming 95% dependency on poultry imports.
“Our poultry farm-to-table project will eliminate poultry imports and increase local production,” President Mahama declared in Parliament, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The comprehensive plan includes robust investments in hatcheries, feed mills, processing, and distribution to supercharge local production and achieve complete self-sufficiency.
Rooted in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 election promises, “Nkokɔ Nketenkete” is designed to not only boost poultry production and create youth employment but also ensure affordable feed and expand essential veterinary services.
With this bold initiative, the Mahama administration is determined to empower its citizens, reduce costly imports, and propel Ghana towards a new era of economic growth and food sovereignty.