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Mahama Secures 150,000 Day-Old Chicks From EU for New Flagship Poultry Project ‘Nkokonketiktie’

Bunch of small one day old chicks at farm

Former President John Dramani Mahama has reportedly reached an understanding with officials within the European Union (EU) to secure 150,000 day-old chicks as part of the early rollout of his new flagship poultry initiative, “Nkokonketiktie”, a programme aimed at reviving Ghana’s struggling poultry industry and reducing dependence on imported chicken.

Although full details of the agreement are yet to be officially published, sources close to the talks say the birds will form part of the pilot phase of the project, which seeks to support smallholder farmers, expand domestic poultry production, and strengthen food security.

A Push to Reduce Chicken Imports

Ghana currently imports over 400,000 metric tonnes of poultry annually despite growing local capacity. The Nkokonketiktie project is expected to:

  • Provide free or subsidised day-old chicks to local farmers
  • Offer starter feed, vaccination, and technical support
  • Strengthen hatcheries across the country
  • Promote commercial-scale poultry farming
  • Reduce foreign exchange pressure from food imports

Mahama is said to be positioning the initiative as a “reset button” for domestic poultry farming, which has faced challenges including high feed costs, low breeder stock availability, and inconsistent government support.

EU Collaboration Signals International Confidence

The reported EU support, especially the supply of 150,000 high-quality day-old chicks, indicates growing international interest in Africa’s agro-industrial transformation.

Agricultural analysts say European hatcheries often provide high-yield breeds, which could significantly boost productivity among Ghanaian farmers if well integrated.

Farmers Welcome the Move

Local poultry associations have reacted positively, saying the initiative—if implemented effectively—could:

  • Improve farmer livelihoods
  • Reduce Ghana’s staggering poultry import bill
  • Create direct and indirect jobs
  • Strengthen feed and veterinary supply chains

A spokesperson for a national poultry group noted that “early access to day-old chicks is one of the biggest barriers for small farmers; this intervention could change the game.”

Political and Economic Implications

The project has already sparked conversation in political and economic circles, with many surprised by the ambitious scale of the EU engagement. Analysts believe the programme could influence agricultural policy direction in 2025 and beyond.

If successful, Nkokonketiktie may become Mahama’s most significant agribusiness intervention since the “Edaakyeɛ Wura” livestock initiative.

What Comes Next

The framework for distribution, hatchery partnerships, and regional rollout schedules is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Stakeholders are watching closely as Ghana seeks to reclaim control over its poultry market.

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