Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate beneficiaries of the government’s Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme who allegedly consumed the birds.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin quizzed the NDC government if they are going to take their party members who consumed the Nkoko Nkitinkiti, which were meant to be reared, to EOCO for accountability.
Afenyo-Markin argued that the Nkoko Nkitinkiti were provided under a state-funded intervention designed to support livelihoods and boost poultry production, and therefore beneficiaries who consumed them should be held accountable for the misuse of public resources.
On the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, July 14, during discussions on the implementation of the programme, Afenyo-Markin stated, “They have eaten it. They were supposed to rear the birds and sell and reinvest. Now that they have consumed the birds, what will become of them? What is the accountability in it?”
The Minority leader highlighted that if the Mahama government is pursuing accountability in the use of public funds, Nkoko Nkitinkiti beneficiaries who consumed the birds should also be investigated.
“You guys are talking about accountability, so your party members who got the birds that they said they have consumed and have given evidence to the Minister, are you going to send them to EOCO? Because it is state funds, it also amounts to looting; however, the amount,” he said.
His comments come on the heels of Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, revealing 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 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.
Watch the video below:
Will you take your party members who 'chopped' the chicken to EOCO for accountability? – Afenyo-Markin.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/D7UGDDzlHw
— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) July 14, 2026
