The  government is set to officially roll out its long-awaited Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme in early October, in a renewed effort to reduce the country’s dependence on poultry imports—an industry that costs the West African nation more than $300 million annually.

Initially scheduled for July, the launch of the programme was delayed following concerns from industry stakeholders over insufficient consultation. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has since re-engaged with key players and now says the programme is on track for implementation in the first week of next month.

“Plans are at an advanced stage, and it is expected that by the first week of October, His Excellency the President will officially launch the programme,” Minister of Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku said during a press briefing on the sidelines of the second phase of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Programme (PACBAO), held in Accra and organised by the ECOWAS Commission.

Following the launch, Mr. Opoku said, poultry inputs will be distributed across constituencies to reach registered farmers. The Ministry is currently finalising beneficiary lists and concluding procurement agreements with contractors.

The Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme—named after the Akan phrase loosely meaning “Compact Poultry”—is being positioned as a flagship agricultural intervention aimed at revitalising local poultry farming. Officials say the initiative will boost domestic production, support rural livelihoods, and curb rising import bills, while also aligning with broader economic goals of creating jobs for youth and women in rural areas.

“The programme is not only about poultry—it’s about sustainability, employment, and local empowerment,” Mr. Opoku said.

Ghana’s poultry industry has long struggled to compete with cheaper imported products, primarily from the United States and the European Union. Local producers cite high feed costs, limited access to financing, and inadequate infrastructure as persistent challenges. The government hopes that Nkoko Nkitinkiti will serve as a platform for addressing these structural barriers while shifting more of the market share to local farmers.

Implementation will be closely watched by both domestic stakeholders and international development partners, as Ghana seeks to strike a balance between trade liberalisation and agricultural self-reliance.

Source:TheDotNews