Ghana is losing its youth not only to unemployment, but to drugs. From tramadol and Marijuanah to the new deadly mix of opioids flooding our ghettos, zongos, and even senior high schools our young people are numbing their hopelessness with substances. We cannot continue to arrest our way out of this crisis. We must employ our way out.

That is why the government’s Nkoko Nkitinkiti poultry initiative is not just an agricultural program. It is a rescue mission.

I have stood in our communities and seen it. A talented young man with no job wakes up with no purpose. He loiters from morning to evening. His friends introduce him to something to “forget his problems.” Soon, the addiction starts. The stealing starts. The dreams die. The root is not that our youth love drugs the root is that they have too much empty time and too little opportunity.

Launched by President John Dramani Mahama in Kumasi as part of the broader Feed Ghana Programme, Nkoko Nkitinkiti is simple but revolutionary.

Distributing 3 million birds nationwide to households, schools and youth groups. Each beneficiary receives 50 vaccinated chicks, feed support, battery cages and technical training. Targeting at least 55,000 households with potential to create 1.7 million direct and indirect jobs. Saving Ghana over $300 million annually we currently spend importing chicken from Brazil, Netherlands and the US.

This is not charity. It is a business in a box. A young person in Ho, Sogakope, Kumasi or Tamale can start a backyard poultry farm today and in 5-6 months be selling eggs and broilers, feeding his family and employing his friend.

When a youth is busy waking up at 5am to feed his birds, clean his pen, collect eggs and call customers he has no time for tramadol. Work gives dignity. Work gives identity. Work is the best rehabilitation center.

 Drugs thrive in idleness. Nkoko Nkitinkiti gives immediate daily responsibility.

 Unlike cocoa or maize that takes months, broilers give returns in 8 weeks, layers give daily eggs. A youth can see money quickly and stay motivated.

 It is more honorable to be called “the poultry guy in our area” than “the jobless boy.” Agriculture must be made attractive again, as President Mahama said.

We cannot continue to import what is killing our forex while exporting our youth to drugs. When we produce our own chicken, we keep money in Ghana and jobs in Ghana.

In South Tongu, over 200 residents have already received birds. In Sekondi-Takoradi, distribution has started. This must not be left to be politicized. It must reach the real hustlers on the street the Okada riders, the school dropouts, the unemployed graduates sitting in kiosks.

To the Ministry of Food and Agriculture: Prioritize the vulnerable youth in the ghettos for this initiative. Pair it with counseling and mentorship.

To Chiefs and Assembly Members: Don’t give the birds only to party foot soldiers. Give them to the boys who are about to be lost to drugs.

To the Youth: This is your chance. 50 chicks can change your life. Nkoko nkitinkiti is not “small work.” The people importing frozen chicken are millionaires. You can become one too.

If we fail to invest in Nkoko Nkitinkiti, we will continue to invest in police cells, psychiatric hospitals and funerals of young people who overdosed.

Let us choose birds over hard drugs. Let us choose farms over ghettos. Let us choose life.

Nkoko Nkitinkiti is not just about chicken. It is about saving Ghana’s future.