Mahama: Nkoko Nketenkete Project Has Grown from a Slip of Tongue into a National Movement
President Mahama Launches Ambitious Poultry Initiative to Boost Local Production and Cut $350 Million Chicken Import Bill
- Nkoko Nketenkete Project launched under the Feed Ghana Program
- Three million birds to be distributed across 275 constituencies
- Each household to receive 50 vaccinated birds with feed support
The Nkoko Nketenkete Project has grown from a mere slip of the tongue into a powerful national movement aimed at transforming Ghana’s poultry industry.
President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the project in Kumasi today, describing it as a bold step toward food security and agricultural sustainability under the government’s Feed Ghana Program.
During his keynote address, President Mahama said, “When I was campaigning during the 2024 election, I wanted to say Nkoko Mma, but a slip of the tongue made me say Nkoko Nketenkete. Today, that slip of the tongue has been transformed into a national movement.” His remarks drew laughter and applause from the large crowd gathered for the ceremony.
He commended Ghanaians for their support and enthusiasm toward the initiative, expressing optimism that, although every great beginning comes with challenges, the project will ultimately be fruitful and profitable for the country.
The Nkoko Nketenkete Project seeks to reduce Ghana’s heavy dependence on imported chicken and promote local production.
President Mahama revealed that Ghana spent $350 million in 2023 on chicken imports — a situation he described as “unsustainable” and detrimental to the country’s economy.
As part of the program, he said the government will distribute three million birds across 275 constituencies, with each constituency receiving 10,000 birds revealing each participating household will receive 50 vaccinated birds and feed to start their poultry rearing operations.
The President also announced that construction will begin in two weeks on a modern poultry processing factory at Bechem in the Ahafo Region, which will process locally reared birds for the domestic market.
Mahama emphasized that the project’s long-term goal is to increase Ghana’s poultry self-sufficiency from 12% to 75% by 2028, adding that the government is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for farmers and investors.
“The success of this program depends on our collective effort,” he said. “I urge the youth to take advantage of this opportunity to build sustainable farming businesses that will transform their future and strengthen our economy.”
He further appealed to chiefs and religious leaders to use their influence to promote the project within their communities, saying their voices can inspire broader participation.
“The Nkoko Nketenkete Project is not just about poultry,” President Mahama concluded. “It is about food security, job creation, national pride, and economic transformation.”
