Gov’t to Launch “Nkoko Nketekete” to Cut $2 Billion Poultry Import Bill – Agric Minister Backs Local Producer A2 Agro Allied
Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has pledged the government’s full support for local poultry producers as part of a renewed national push to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported poultry products.
Speaking during a familiarization visit to A2 Agro Allied—a modern poultry feed production company located at Kaase in Kumasi—the Minister expressed concern that Ghana spends nearly $2 billion annually on poultry imports, with an overwhelming 95% of chicken products sourced from abroad.
He described the situation as economically unsustainable and called for urgent corrective measures.
“It’s worrying that with the fertile land, skilled farmers, and opportunities we have, Ghana continues to rely so heavily on imported poultry. The time has come for us to rewrite this narrative, and that is exactly what we are going to do,” Mr. Opoku said.
The Minister announced that the government would soon launch a major flagship initiative dubbed “Nkoko Nketekete” in July 2025. This ambitious program, he said, aims to boost domestic poultry production by offering tailored support to smallholder farmers, medium enterprises, and large-scale producers.
According to the Minister, the new policy will focus on improving access to affordable feed, veterinary services, financing, and modern infrastructure to enable Ghanaian poultry farmers to scale up production and reduce the need for imports.
He emphasized that strategic partnerships with private sector actors like A2 Agro Allied would be key to the program’s success.
During the tour of A2 Agro Allied’s facility, Mr. Opoku lauded the company for its state-of-the-art production systems and expressed optimism about its contribution to transforming Ghana’s poultry value chain.
“A2 Agro Allied is a symbol of local ingenuity and capacity. The facility here is world-class, and the potential it holds for job creation and feed supply is remarkable,” the Minister noted.
The company currently employs 200 workers and produces 80 tons of poultry feed in just 8 hours. With a round-the-clock shift system, it has the capacity to produce up to 160 tons within 24 hours—enough to meet the feed demand of a significant portion of the poultry industry in Ghana.
Mr. Adolf Adarkwah, the financier and Chief Executive Officer of A2 Agro Allied, thanked the Minister for the visit and assured him of the company’s readiness to support the “Nkoko Nketekete” initiative.
“We are committed to playing our part in reshaping Ghana’s poultry sector. Our goal is to ensure high-quality feed at affordable prices, promote local bird consumption, and create decent jobs for the youth,” Mr. Adarkwah stated.
He also urged the government to continue creating a favorable environment for agro-industrial companies to thrive, including access to credit facilities and tax incentives.
The Minister was accompanied by the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman, officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and representatives from the regional agricultural department.
The visit marks a significant milestone in the government’s renewed focus on agricultural self-sufficiency and signals a deliberate shift toward empowering Ghanaian agribusinesses to lead the charge in reducing imports and boosting food security.
