President Mahama Launches Nkoko Nketenkete Project to Boost Poultry Production and Ensure Food Security
Mahama Calls Nkoko Nketenkete a National Movement to Empower Farmers and Secure Ghana’s Food Future
- Ghana spent $350 million in 2023 importing chicken
- Three million birds to be distributed across 275 constituencies
- Each household to receive 50 vaccinated birds under the projec
President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the Nkoko Nketenkete Project in Kumasi, describing it as a bold national movement aimed at reducing Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported chicken and strengthening food security.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch, President Mahama recounted the origin of the project’s name with a touch of humor.
“When I was campaigning during the 2024 elections, I intended to say Nkoko Mma, but a slip of the tongue made me say Nkoko Nketenkete. Today, that slip of the tongue has materialized into a national program,” he said to loud applause.
He acknowledged that, like many great initiatives, the beginning may not be perfect but expressed confidence that it would become “fruitful and profitable” in the long run.
President Mahama commended Ghanaians for their overwhelming support, describing the Nkoko Nketenkete Project as a “courageous national movement” and a flagship element of the government’s broader Feed Ghana Program, designed to make the country self-sufficient in poultry production.
He disclosed that Ghana spent $350 million in 2023 importing chicken, a situation he described as unsustainable. “If we don’t reduce our importation of chicken, our own poultry industry will not progress,” he cautioned.
As part of the initiative, government will distribute three million birds across all 275 constituencies in the country. Each constituency will receive 10,000 birds, while participating households will receive 50 birds each to rear. The project, he said, is designed to bring poultry “directly to every Ghanaian.”
President Mahama announced that construction of a modern poultry processing factory at Bechem in the Ahafo Region will begin in two weeks.
He said the factory will process the birds for sale on the local market, creating a complete value chain from production to processing and distribution.
The President further revealed that the long-term goal of the Nkoko Nketenkete Project is to increase Ghana’s poultry self-sufficiency from 12% today to over 75% by 2028.
“The government is fully committed to providing an enabling environment for the success of this initiative,” he assured. “But the success of the Nkoko Nketenkete Project depends on the collective effort of all Ghanaians.”
He urged the youth to embrace the opportunity to build sustainable farming businesses and transform their economic future through poultry farming. President Mahama also called on chiefs and religious leaders to use their voices to inspire and champion the project in their communities.
“The Nkoko Nketenkete Project is not just about chicken,” he emphasized. “It is about empowering our people, creating jobs, reducing imports, and securing our food future.”
