Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative has not failed — Otokunor

Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, has refuted claims that Ghana's Nkokonkitinkiti poultry policy has been unsuccessful. He dismissed the criticisms as based on an inaccurate evaluation of the programme. Otokunor emphasized that the initiative, which is part of President John Dramani Mahama's Poultry Farm to the Table initiative, is still progressing towards its objective of revitalizing Ghana's poultry industry.

The program consists of two components: the household component aims to help families generate additional income and improve access to poultry products through backyard farming, while the commercial component supports existing poultry farms with chicks, feed, and medication to boost their production capacity. Otokunor stressed the importance of an integrated strategy to strengthen the poultry value chain, highlighting that processing infrastructure must be developed alongside increased production.

The government is constructing the Bechem Poultry Processing Plant to improve the country's capacity to process locally produced poultry. Otokunor stated that the broader intervention aims to boost domestic production and reduce Ghana's annual expenditure of $500 million on poultry imports. He also explained that the household component is designed to equip beneficiaries with practical poultry-rearing skills, enabling them to establish small- and medium-scale businesses and create jobs for others.