The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality (KEEA), Ismail Saeed Zagoon, says the success of the government’s “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” program in KEEA is down to beneficiary commitment and proper timing.

Speaking in an interview with Class Media Group , Zagoon described the KEEA distribution as "the best so far", attributing it to two factors. 

"First of all, the time that the birds were sent, it was very conducive for the birds. Secondly, the preparation stage," he stated.

He recounted visiting one of the beneficiary farms on the day the birds arrived. 

"Even though I'm not a poultry farmer but what I saw there, I could see that the guy is ready to receive the birds...The guy was so committed. He was willing to help the assembly," the MCE said.

Zagoon revealed that at a point when feeds and medicine were not enough, the beneficiary used his own money to purchase them and the assembly later refunded him.  

"But whatever it is, even if you provide everything and the person is not committed, he doesn't care...But commitment was the key," he stressed.

The MCE described the initiative as "a very, very good project" that has come to lessen the burden on the youth. 

He urged government to do more with a specific request for more layers instead of broilers.  

“The layers will help us. The broilers within 8 weeks, if you don't sell it, it will be a problem. So if the layers can be more, so that they can go into this production very well...It will help the country to reduce their unemployment rate," he said.

Zagoon noted that many youth now see poultry as a viable alternative to waiting for government jobs.  

"Most of our youth...aggregates and punishment and other things will just go. When they are introduced, it will help them not even seeking for government appointment."

Also speaking, an official from the Department of Agriculture in KEEA, Victoria Dansoa Abankwa said the project has helped unemployed youth gain experience and income.  

"They tell you, 'Madam, I sold mine and then I had some income.' It made them also confident in themselves that they can work to earn incomes."

She added that some beneficiaries have even employed others to help maintain the pens, creating a ripple effect of job creation.

The officer recommended that future phases should also target poultry farmer associations who already have experience and can operate in larger quantities to employ more people.

Both officials thanked the President and the Minister of Agriculture for the initiative, and commended the KEEA Municipal Assembly staff and beneficiary farmers for their cooperation.

"We heard, but we never knew it would materialize. And it has come to pass. So we thank the government for this initiative," she concluded.