The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) apparent agenda to undermine the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is both unfortunate and troubling, as it prevents the opposition from fulfilling its essential role of offering constructive criticism and presenting itself as a credible government in waiting.
The growing use of social media by some NPP elements to circulate negative stories about the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” project is particularly disappointing. At a time when the NDC government is working to reduce the large volumes of chicken imported from Europe and to strengthen national food self-sufficiency, such propaganda undermines a policy intended to support Ghana’s long-term economic interests.
It is on record that Ghana imports approximately US$400 million worth of chicken annually, including frozen poultry and related products.
These comments were made by Mahdi Jibril, Deputy Director of Elections for the NDC, during an interview on Ahotor FM 92.3, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. Mr. Jibril stressed that the NPP has lost focus and failed to put its internal affairs in order. He argued that attempts to derail President John Dramani Mahama’s policies through misinformation will ultimately keep the NPP in opposition.
In a related development, Agricultural Economist Martin Tettey Nartey has praised President Mahama’s newly launched “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” initiative but cautioned that it may have unintended consequences for poultry farmers and other local producers.
Mr. Nartey described the programme—launched in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 12—as a commendable initiative reminiscent of agricultural interventions from the Acheampong era. The initiative aims to distribute improved poultry breeds to households to reduce the importation of chicken. While supportive of the idea, he expressed concern that many targeted households may lack the training and capacity to rear the birds effectively.
“The programme is good, but the households who will receive the chickens must understand how to rear them properly if the country is to benefit,” he noted.
Mr. Nartey further warned that local poultry farmers are already facing stiff competition from imported eggs and chicken, and the new initiative could unintentionally worsen their situation.
“Our poultry farmers are suffering because imported eggs and chicken have taken over the market. If government starts supplying chickens to households, people may stop buying from local farmers, and that will affect their businesses,” he said.
He also raised concerns about how beneficiary households will feed and care for the chickens amid rising costs of poultry feed and other inputs.
Beyond poultry, Mr. Nartey drew attention to the struggles of rice farmers, who continue to face low patronage of locally produced rice. He criticized the government’s reliance on the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase produce instead of buying directly from farmers.
“Sometimes the initiative is good, but the politics behind it affects its success. The process of selling produce through Buffer Stock is too long, and farmers do not benefit quickly,” he argued.