Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku has announced that the government will roll out the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Programme in the first week of October 2025.
Speaking in Accra after the launch of the second phase of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Programme (PACBAO) organised by the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Opoku said preparations for the initiative were almost complete.
“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 various constituencies to reach beneficiary farmers. We are finalizing the beneficiary list and completing procurement processes with contractors to supply the birds. Very soon, implementation will take off,” he stated.
The Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme, originally scheduled for July, was delayed following concerns raised by stakeholders over inadequate consultation. The ministry has since engaged with farmer groups, feed producers, and other industry actors to refine the programme.
The initiative is designed to reduce Ghana’s \$300 million annual poultry import bill by supporting local farmers with access to quality chicks, affordable feed, veterinary services, and reliable markets. It is expected to benefit at least 55,000 households nationwide.
“This project is not just about poultry farming,” Mr. Opoku emphasized. “It is about creating sustainable jobs, empowering rural households, and retaining millions of dollars that currently leave our economy through imports.”
Government says the October launch will mark the beginning of a long-term effort to achieve self-sufficiency in poultry production and strengthen livelihoods across the agricultural value chain.
