Ghana Launches ‘Nkoko Nketenkete’ to Empower Youth in Poultry and Livestock Sector

The Government of Ghana has launched a national roadmap for the ‘Nkoko Nketenkete’ initiative, a major youth-focused poultry and livestock development programme under the Feed Ghana flagship policy.

Unveiled in Accra on June 10, 2025, the initiative aims to train and support 20,000 young people—primarily women, youth groups, and agripreneurs—over four years. The first phase, running until the end of 2026, will target 10,000 beneficiaries. The programme is projected to generate 1.7 million direct and indirect jobs nationwide.

Training and Implementation

‘Nkoko Nketenkete’ adopts a blended training model combining in-person mentorship, digital tools, and field demonstrations across all 16 regions, with sessions conducted twice monthly. Training will be delivered in local languages to ensure accessibility and impact.

The initiative is a public-private partnership involving the Office of the President, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, CSIR-Animal Research Institute, and Feedico Ghana Limited.

Modernising Agriculture

Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, stressed that the project marks a shift from traditional farming to innovation-led agribusiness.

“Agriculture is now about technology, innovation, and productivity,” he said, adding that the programme will remove barriers limiting youth and women’s participation in the sector.

The programme’s poultry module aims to support 55,000 households in producing 1 million improved broiler breeds. The government will also revamp feed mills to improve the availability and affordability of animal feed.

Strategic Goals and Impact

Dr. Doris Yaa Osei, Acting Deputy Director at CSIR, highlighted Ghana’s continued reliance on meat imports, calling for greater local production. She cited the Grains and Legumes Development Project—also under Feed Ghana—as critical to scaling up animal feed supply.

Chief Nathaniel Ebo Nsarko, CEO of Feedico Ghana Ltd, praised the roadmap as a transformational blueprint for smallholder farming. He underscored the need to deliver knowledge in local dialects so that no farmer is left behind.

Tackling Youth Unemployment and Food Insecurity

The ‘Nkoko Nketenkete’ initiative directly addresses youth unemployment and Ghana’s low meat self-sufficiency, aligning with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• Goal 2: Zero Hunger

• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Goal 13: Climate Action

• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

With strong stakeholder collaboration and political will, the government is confident that Ghana’s poultry and livestock sector can be revived as a key driver of rural development and national food security.