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The Ekumfi District in the Central Region has distributed 10,000 birds to over 200 unemployed youths under the government’s Nkoko Nkitinkiti Initiative, aimed at reducing unemployment and boosting local poultry production.
The programme, introduced by President John Dramani Mahama as part of his 2024 campaign promises, seeks to create jobs while cutting down Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry products.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the District Chief Executive for Ekumfi, Ismalia Nana Asamoah, expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly reduce unemployment and poultry imports in the district and beyond.
He disclosed that nearly 200,000 birds have been distributed across 18 districts in the Central Region in the first phase of the programme, with Ekumfi among the key beneficiaries.
According to him, the initiative is not only designed to create employment opportunities but also to strengthen the local economy through increased domestic production.
“This intervention will empower our youth to become self-reliant while contributing to the country’s food security agenda,” he said.
Mr Asamoah urged beneficiaries to take proper care of the birds to ensure high productivity, adding that he expects the district to achieve at least a 98 per cent success rate during the project audit.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to the media expressed gratitude to the government for the opportunity, pledging to manage the birds responsibly to achieve positive results.
However, they appealed for additional support, particularly in the provision of poultry feed, noting that feeding remains one of the biggest challenges in poultry farming.
They also called on the government to consider establishing a poultry processing factory in the district to create more jobs and add value to their production.
The Nkoko Nkitinkiti Initiative forms part of broader government efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector and promote sustainable livelihoods across the country.
Yaw Boagyan
