Government spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed suggestions that the poultry initiative under the 2025 budget is a simplistic distribution of chicks, stating that it is part of a comprehensive agricultural transformation agenda.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Roundtable on Wednesday, March 12, Kwakye Ofosu explained that the program, known as ‘Nkukor Nkitinkiti’, is a key pillar of the government’s economic transformation agenda, which includes the Feed Ghana program, the Ghana Grains Development Project, and the Vegetable Development Project.

“It is part of a programme that we call the agriculture or economic transformation agenda, which involves a lot of activities aimed at boosting agriculture,” he said.

“So, no, it is not just about having chicks given to you to go and raise to build a poultry farm on your own.”

He stressed that the initiative is a response to the collapse of the poultry industry and aims to revitalize it by creating a structured system that supports farmers beyond just poultry.

“We are starting with poultry, but we are aware that there are many other things that can be done within the framework of animal husbandry, snail rearing, and other ventures in the sector,” he stated.

“We are also going to help farmers who grow vegetables, those into grain and soybean farming, those who grow rice, tubers like yam and cassava. So it’s a comprehensive program that involves a lot of activities.”

The minister acknowledged concerns about funding, revealing that the government has allocated ₵1.5 billion Ghana cedis to the project.

While some have questioned whether this amount is sufficient, Kwakye Ofosu believes it is a strategic starting point.

“One would have wanted a situation where a lot more money is devoted to it,” he admitted.

“But given the state of the economy and the resource control that we have, government has put in this money in the belief that if we start this way and continue with consistency, we are going to get to a situation where the industry grows.”

He further explained that the long-term plan is to create a self-sustaining agricultural industry, where early beneficiaries can expand their businesses, reinvest, and attract private sector participation.

“Those who have benefited initially will grow their capital to be able to reinvest. Others who may have some capital but are unsure where to invest it will also see agriculture as a lucrative venture,” he said.

Kwakye Ofosu assured that as the economy improves, government funding for the program will increase, allowing more people to venture into agriculture as a sustainable means of employment.

“Eventually, as the economy expands and more money becomes available to the government, we are going to increase allocations so that as many of our people as possible are able to venture into agriculture,” he stated.

“We believe this is one of the ways we can create jobs, especially in a situation where unemployment remains one of the biggest problems in our country.”

He dismissed attempts to reduce the initiative to a mere chick distribution scheme, insisting that the program is a broad and structured agricultural intervention aimed at transforming the sector.

“It is not just about handing out chicks; it is about a broad range of activities within the agriculture sector,” he concluded.