The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has launched the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme in the Volta Region under the Government of Ghana’s Feed Ghana Programme, describing it as a major intervention aimed at reducing poverty, creating jobs, improving household incomes, and strengthening food security.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Gunu said the initiative goes beyond poultry farming and serves as a practical economic empowerment tool for households, youth, and aspiring agribusiness entrepreneurs across the region.

According to him, the programme is expected to stimulate local economic activity by creating opportunities across the poultry value chain while increasing domestic food production and promoting self-sufficiency among communities.

As part of the rollout, the Volta Region has been allocated 180,000 day-old chicks to support beneficiaries, particularly households and young entrepreneurs seeking sustainable livelihoods through poultry farming.

Mr Gunu expressed confidence that the intervention would provide long-term economic relief for families while promoting self-employment and agribusiness development.

He said the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme aligns with long-standing community practices in which poultry rearing served as a dependable financial buffer for many households.

Historically, he noted, the sale of a few chickens often enabled families to meet urgent financial needs, including the payment of school fees, healthcare costs, and other household expenses.

“In many ways, Nkoko Nkitinkiti is a revival of an age-old poverty reduction strategy that empowered families at the grassroots level,” he stated.

The Regional Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to agricultural initiatives that directly improve livelihoods and strengthen food security, particularly in rural communities.

He also commended stakeholders involved in implementing the programme for their commitment and collaboration, expressing optimism that the intervention would significantly improve livelihoods and contribute to economic growth in the region.

Mr Gunu urged beneficiaries to make good use of the support provided to ensure the sustainability and long-term success of the initiative.

The Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme forms part of the broader Feed Ghana Programme aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, improving food availability, and creating sustainable economic opportunities nationwide.

Regarded as a flagship intervention under the Feed Ghana Programme, the initiative seeks to boost domestic poultry production, improve food sovereignty, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The programme also aims to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported frozen chicken, which has historically cost the country more than $350 million annually, by stimulating both household and commercial poultry production.

Under the initiative, government plans to distribute three million birds to 60,000 households across all 276 constituencies nationwide, with each constituency expected to receive 10,000 birds.

Through the Household/Backyard Poultry Initiative, participating households will receive 50 chicks, feed support, and technical guidance to help them transition from subsistence farming into self-sustaining poultry enterprises.

In addition, the programme will support 50 selected commercial anchor farmers, each expected to receive up to 80,000 chicks, housing, and logistical support to produce poultry at scale and strengthen supply chains between producers and processors.

Government believes the intervention will not only reduce the country’s poultry import burden but also create employment opportunities and improve incomes, particularly among rural households and young people entering agribusiness.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, Stephen Adom, also assured that the programme would create job opportunities for the youth and help reduce poverty and unemployment.

According to him, the John Mahama administration remains committed to fulfilling its promises to Ghanaians. He added that more interventions are expected and urged beneficiaries to make good use of the chicks to achieve the programme’s intended purpose.