By Frank Kwame Abbor
Ho, May 27, GNA – Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, has launched the Government’s “Nkoko Nketekete” poultry initiative in the Volta Region, aimed at promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and achieving poultry self-sufficiency under the Feed Ghana Programme.
He said the initiative formed part of campaign promises fulfilled by President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the 2024 general elections.
“As you are all aware, this is the launch of the Nkoko Nketekete project in the Volta Region and it is one of the promises made by President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC. We thank God that we do not only make promises, but we also fulfil them,” Mr Gunu stated.
He announced that Government, in collaboration with the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and financial institutions, was establishing a multipurpose factory at North Tongu to produce sugar, which is expected to employ about 300 workers.
He also highlighted ongoing investments in agribusiness in the region, including honey production and poultry farming, noting that such initiatives aligned with the development aspirations of the Volta region.
“What we are witnessing today resonates very well with our traditions as Voltarians. We understand agriculture and can implement these interventions better for sustainable economic development,” he said.
Mr Bright Edward Demordzi, National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, said the initiative had been deliberately designed to reverse the country’s dependence on poultry imports, restore farmer confidence, and rebuild the poultry value chain—from breeding to processing and marketing.
“This intervention is expected to reduce poultry imports by 10 to 15 per cent in the initial phase, saving the country between 30 and 60 million US dollars annually,” he stated.
Mr Demordzi explained that the programme would create both direct and indirect jobs across feed milling, hatcheries, veterinary services, transport, processing, and marketing, while stimulating local maize and soya production.
“The figures we are sharing today send a clear message that Ghana can no longer afford to import what it has the capacity to produce. This is an economic recovery tool, a job creation programme, and a food security intervention,” he stressed.
Mr Stephen Adom, Municipal Chief Executive of Ho, expressed appreciation to the Government for fulfilling its promises to the people, citing previous support interventions for skilled persons and assuring residents that more empowerment programmes were underway.
Mr Godwin Agbenyegah, Ho Municipal Director of Agriculture and Volta Regional Coordinator of the programme, disclosed that the region had received 180,000 day-old chicks under the initiative, which had been brooded for between four and six weeks before distribution to beneficiaries.
He said each Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly would distribute about 10,000 birds to 200 households to improve poultry production and help raise Ghana’s poultry self-sufficiency rate to 76 per cent by 2028.
“This initiative is expected to create many jobs across the country because there will be increased demand for poultry inputs and other support services that will sustain the programme,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Lydia Kukua Asamoah