President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ project, describing it as a national movement aimed at transforming Ghana’s poultry industry, creating jobs, and achieving food self-sufficiency.

The launch took place in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, where the President said the initiative forms a core part of the NDC government’s agricultural transformation agenda.

A Bold Step Toward Food Sovereignty and Job Creation

The ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ project, a flagship agricultural policy, seeks to cut down the $300 million Ghana spends annually on importing frozen chicken by promoting large-scale local poultry production.

The project will benefit 55,000 households across the country and support the production of over 4 million birds, boosting demand for locally sourced feed and creating direct market linkages between producers and processors.

“This is more than just a government intervention,” President Mahama declared. “It is a national movement, a courageous step toward restoring food self-sufficiency, strengthening household resilience, and fostering sustainable livelihoods for tens of thousands of Ghanaians, especially women, youth, and vulnerable families.”

Reclaiming Ghana’s Poultry Legacy

President Mahama lamented the decline of Ghana’s once-thriving poultry sector, citing challenges such as high feed costs, limited access to quality breeds, and dependence on imports.

“In 2023 alone, Ghana spent over $350 million importing poultry products. That is a drain on our foreign exchange and a missed opportunity for our farmers and entrepreneurs. We must, and we will, reverse this trend,” he said.

He emphasized that the time has come for Ghana to reclaim the pride of producing and consuming what it grows, highlighting the project as a crucial pillar of his administration’s Feed Ghana Programme.

Three-Pronged Strategy to Restore the Poultry Value Chain

The ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ project operates on a three-tier strategy designed to strengthen the poultry value chain from household-level production to commercial farming.

1. Poultry Farm-to-Table Project:
   • Supports 50 anchor farmers selected across the country.
   • Each farmer will receive 80,000 birds, housing, logistics, and technical support to enhance production capacity.
2. Food Systems Resilience Programme:
   • Targets 500 small and medium-scale poultry farmers in all regions.
   • Supports the production of 3 million birds, bridging the gap between large-scale producers and community-based farmers.
3. ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ Backyard Poultry for Nutrition and Livelihoods:
   • The most community-driven phase, bringing poultry farming directly into homes, schools, and communities.
   • Government will distribute 3 million birds across all 276 constituencies, with each constituency receiving 10,000 birds.
   • An estimated 60,000 households will benefit, with each receiving 50 birds, field support, and technical guidance.

Transforming Livelihoods and Building Food Resilience

President Mahama emphasized that the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ project will not only reduce imports but also empower rural households, promote nutrition, and strengthen local economies.

“This initiative brings poultry production to the doorstep of every Ghanaian, in homes, schools, and communities,” he said. “It transforms subsistence into self-sustaining livelihoods and ensures that no household is left behind.”

The President urged Ghanaians to rally behind the project, describing it as a people-centered initiative that will restore national confidence in local agricultural production.

National Impact and Future Outlook

Experts project that the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ initiative could become a game-changer for Ghana’s poultry and agricultural sectors. By promoting local feed production and farmer training, the project aims to enhance food sovereignty, reduce reliance on imports, and open export opportunities for locally produced poultry.

The policy also aligns with Ghana’s broader goals under the Agricultural Transformation and Food Sovereignty Agenda, which seeks to modernize farming through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Project Name: Nkoko Nkitinkiti (Backyard Poultry for Nutrition & Livelihoods)
• Launched by: President John Dramani Mahama
• Launch Date: November 12, 2025
• Location: Kumasi, Ashanti Region
• Beneficiaries: 55,000+ households, 276 constituencies
• Total Birds: 3 million
• Annual Import Savings: $300 million
• Expected Output: 4 million birds produced nationwide