Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, has called on residents to revive the region’s traditional practice of household poultry rearing to combat poverty, following the distribution of 180,000 broiler chicks under the National Broilers Project (NBP).
Speaking at the launch of the project in Ho on Tuesday, May 26, Mr Gunu said the initiative aligned with the Volta Region’s cultural heritage and provided a practical pathway to sustainable economic development.
“What we are seeing here resonates very well with our tradition. The NBP aligns with Volta Region’s tradition for sustainable economic development. So, we understand it deeper and we can implement it better,” he said.
Mr Gunu explained that the word “koklo,” which means chicken, is derived from two words: “ko” (poverty) and “klo” (to remove), symbolising poverty eradication.
“Our forebears kept fowls at almost every home and sold them off for economic gains and also cooked them for food. It would be easier to go back to that tradition to benefit everyone and eradicate poverty from the homes, districts, and the region,” Mr Gunu said.
The National Broilers Project, branded “Nkoko Nketekete,” forms part of the Government’s Feed Ghana Programme.
It aims to revitalise the poultry value chain, reduce reliance on imported chicken, and empower both small-scale and commercial farmers.
The Minister noted that the initiative was part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government’s efforts to deliver on its 2024 campaign promises, alongside other initiatives such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme and the 24-Hour Economy.
He cited an example of a private investor collaborating with the 24-Hour Economy Authority to establish a sugar factory in North Tongu, expected to create about 300 jobs.
Mr Stephen Adom, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, said the poultry sector remained a vital component of Ghana’s economy with the potential to empower households, create employment, and enhance food security.
“Ghana continues to spend substantial amounts annually on imported chicken, while many local farmers struggle with production constraints, inadequate infrastructure, limited market access, and high operational costs,” he lamented.
He noted that the Feed Ghana Programme sought to address these challenges through the provision of subsidised feed, veterinary services, and farmer training to thousands of beneficiaries.
“For us here in the Volta region, and in Ho Municipality in particular, this initiative presents enormous opportunity for youth employment, women empowerment, business expansion, poverty reduction, and improved household incomes,” Mr Adom stated
He urged beneficiaries to regard the birds not merely as a source of food but as “a pathway to economic independence and community development.”
Mr Godwin Agbenyegah, Volta Regional Coordinator of the NBP, announced that the programme targeted the production of 60 million chickens for 50,000 households across 276 constituencies nationwide.
He said the Volta region had been allocated 180,000 birds, with each district receiving 10,000 birds for distribution among 200 households.
“The goal is to raise poultry sufficiency to 76 percent by 2028,” Mr Agbenyegah said.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the intervention.
“Poverty will be reduced in our households and communities. We will rear the chickens diligently to achieve the intended purpose,” one beneficiary said.
Togbe Ayim Adzokoto II, Paramount Chief of the Takla Traditional Area, who received 50 birds, said he registered after hearing about the initiative and commended its potential to improve livelihoods.
Mr Kafui Agbe, Ketu South Municipal Director of Agriculture, stated that about 250 people had registered for the programme, with the first batch expected to receive birds from the following Monday.
Mr Bright Demordzi, National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, said the initiative was designed to restore confidence in local poultry production and promote sustainable agriculture nationwide.
