Accra: The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced that the successful implementation of the first phase of the government's Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme has prepared the ground for the commercialisation of Ghana's poultry industry. Speaking to journalists after briefing Parliament on the programme's progress, Opoku described the initial phase focusing on household and domestic poultry production as a major success, pointing to the overwhelming response as a reason for expanding the initiative into large-scale commercial production.
According to Ghana Web, the minister emphasized that the success of the domestic production phase highlights the programme's potential as a practical blueprint for revitalizing Ghana's poultry industry from the grassroots level. "This programme is not merely an agricultural intervention but a practical blueprint for rebuilding Ghana's poultry industry from the grassroots up," Opoku stated.
Opoku stressed that the initiative is laying the groundwork for a self-sustaining poultry sector in Ghana, which will generate thousands of jobs, improve household nutrition, reduce dependence on imported frozen chicken, and conserve millions of dollars in foreign exchange. He argued that the success of the first phase provides a strong case for transitioning to the commercialisation phase.
Highlighting the economic significance, Opoku noted the substantial amount of money Ghana spends annually on importing poultry products, which the programme aims to reduce. "For decades, Ghana has spent approximately US$350 million annually importing frozen chicken, an expenditure that has continued to drain the country's foreign exchange while creating jobs and economic value in other countries instead of within Ghana," he remarked.
Opoku described the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme as one of Ghana's most ambitious import-substitution initiatives, designed to strengthen food security, stimulate agribusiness, empower women and young people, and revitalize rural economies. With the first phase yielding positive outcomes, the government is now focusing on the commercialisation agenda, which is expected to boost investment across the poultry value chain.
Expressing optimism for the future, Opoku stated that the successful implementation of the second phase could transform the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme into a major driver of industrial growth, employment, and economic resilience in Ghana.