The Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme, aimed at boosting local poultry production and reducing Ghana's dependence on imported chicken, has been slammed by a Member of Parliament (MP) for its poor implementation.

Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member on Parliament's Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, made the call while reacting to issues raised by the President of the Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana, George Dassah. Dassah had questioned aspects of the programme's implementation and warned that it may fail to achieve its intended objective if key problems are not corrected.

The programme, which forms part of the government's efforts to support local poultry rearing and encourage reinvestment into production, has been plagued by weak market linkages, inadequate beneficiary orientation, and poor implementation, according to poultry farmers. The situation has led to concerns that the programme may not be delivering the expected results.

According to Dr Opoku, available evidence from some constituencies suggests that the programme is not in existence in his constituency. Additionally, some beneficiaries have received as few as two birds, raising questions about the scale and impact of the intervention.

The central argument made by Dr Opoku is that the government should not move ahead with the next phase without first taking stock of the lessons from the first one. A comprehensive review, he believes, is necessary to identify what worked, what failed, and what adjustments are needed to improve outcomes in subsequent phases.

The Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme was designed to support local poultry rearing and encourage reinvestment into production. However, the implementation challenges faced by the programme have raised concerns about its effectiveness in achieving its goals.

Key Facts

  • The Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme is aimed at boosting local poultry production and reducing Ghana's dependence on imported chicken.
  • The programme has been plagued by weak market linkages, inadequate beneficiary orientation, and poor implementation.
  • Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku has called for a comprehensive review of the programme to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
  • Available evidence suggests that the programme is not in existence in Dr Opoku's constituency.
  • Some beneficiaries have received as few as two birds, raising questions about the scale and impact of the intervention.

A review of the programme, as recommended by Dr Opoku, could provide invaluable insights into the challenges faced by the programme and help in making necessary adjustments to improve its effectiveness. This will ensure that the programme is able to achieve its intended objectives and make a meaningful contribution to the development of Ghana's poultry industry.