Solomon Owusu, the Director of Communications for the United Party, has warned the John Mahama-led government that the nkoko nkitinkiti project will fail if politicians are not stopped from importing ‘dead chicken’.
He urged the NDC government to ensure a reduction in chicken imports.
Speaking on Key Points on TV3 Saturday, December 20, Solomon Owusu stated, “Nkoko Nkitikiti is a brilliant idea, but that policy will fail if you allow politicians and party financiers to import dead chickens.”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” initiative.
The flagship NDC nationwide programme aimed at transforming household poultry production and revitalising Ghana’s poultry industry.
President Mahama, at the launch in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 12, described the initiative as a bold and practical step towards achieving food self-sufficiency.
Mahama stated, “The project was more than just a government intervention. A national movement, a courageous step towards restoring food self-sufficiency, strengthening household resilience, and fostering sustainable livelihoods for tens of thousands of Ghanaians, especially women, youth, and vulnerable families across our country.”
“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 further added, “Each of these 50 anchor farmers will receive 80,000 birds, housing, logistics, and technical support. Together, they are expected to produce 4 million birds. This will boost local feed demand and establish direct market connections between producers and processors.”
“We are supporting 500 small and medium-scale poultry farmers across all regions to produce 3 million birds, bridging the gap between large-scale farmers and community-based producers.”
Mahama added, “This initiative is designed to bring poultry production directly to the doorsteps of every Ghanaian in homes, in schools, and in communities across the country. Vulnerable households will receive pullets and starter packs to initiate production, transforming subsistence into self-sustaining livelihoods.”
“Each household participating in the programme will receive 50 birds, field support, and technical guidance to ensure the sustainability of their project. The breeds, pullets, and cockerels have been selected for their resilience, adaptability, and high productivity under local conditions.”
Also, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has revealed that the John Mahama government’s flagship project, the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti‘, will cost Ghana approximately GHS 200 million.
He detailed that three million birds will be procured under the government ‘nkoko nkitinkiti’.
According to the Agric Minister, each constituency will receive 10,000 birds.
Speaking on Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, September 28, 2025, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku stated, “ We are procuring 3 million birds; each constituency will receive 10,000. This will not cost Ghana beyond GHS 200 million”.
The Agric Minister revealed that an additional 80,000 birds will be supplied to 50 existing commercial-scale farmers, with medium-scale farmers receiving between 1,000 and 3,000 birds each.
Eric Opoku revealed that Ghana imports more than 80% of its poultry needs, which is unsustainable.
“Ghana consumes a lot of poultry compared to a country like Nigeria. With this initiative, we can change the narrative and stop excessive importation,” Eric Opoku stated.
See the post below:
"Stop politicians from importing ‘dead chicken’, or else the brilliant ‘Nkoko Nkitikiti’ idea will fail."
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) December 20, 2025
– Solomon Owusu, the Director of Communications for the United Party, has urged the government to ensure a reduction in chicken imports.#TheKeyPoints #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/dlrgV9os9Z