Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, has revealed that some beneficiaries of Nkoko Nkitinkiti projects have consumed the birds.
The Agric Minister expressed concern over reports that some households are slaughtering and consuming birds.
According to the Agric Minister, the immediate consumption of the birds deviates from the purpose of the programme.
He highlighted that the birds were given to people to rear them and to sell them to reinvest.
Speaking when he appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Assurances on July 9, 2026, the Agric Minister stated, “Some decided to kill and eat all, infact they were even sending me videos that, ‘ Honourable, we are eating everything, but this is not meant for that immediate consumption; we just wanted people to rear them, sell and reinvest so it becomes business ‘.
He added, “Even though we don’t encourage that, we wanted them to capitalise on them to earn something for their livelihood. If that is what they have decided to do at the national level in aggregation, it also helps.
If they are able to build a good taste for locally produced poultry, that is a big plus for us”.
It will be recalled that 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.”
Meanwhile, 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.”
Watch the video below:
NKOKO NKITITI PROJECT
— Elton Brobbey (@EltonBrobbey) July 9, 2026
– Unfortunately, some of the beneficiaries have consumed the birds, and they are sending me videos – Agric Minister tells Assurance Committee pic.twitter.com/H93awpKPsf
