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FAO, EU Support Nkokonkitinkiti Programme With 150,000 Birds; 55,000 Households Expected to Benefit Nationwide

The Government of Ghana’s renewed effort to revamp the poultry sector has received a significant boost following a joint donation of 150,000 birds from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union (EU) to support the Nkokonkitinkiti Programme.

The initiative, which aims to accelerate domestic poultry production and reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported chicken, was officially launched on 12 November.

It forms part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance food security, improve nutrition, and empower rural households with sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, expressed profound appreciation to the FAO and EU for what he described as a timely and strategic intervention.

He noted that the support aligns perfectly with the government’s vision to rebuild the poultry value chain and create income-generating avenues for vulnerable households.

According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the birds will be distributed across selected districts under the first phase of the programme. The package includes technical assistance, feed support, and disease control measures to ensure optimal productivity and sustainability.

Officials say the programme is expected to directly benefit 55,000 households across the country. Beneficiaries will receive birds, cages, starter feed, and training in modern poultry management practices.

The intervention is projected to improve household nutrition, reduce poverty, and strengthen local economies.

Hon. Eric Opoku emphasized that the Nkokonkitinkiti initiative marks a new era in Ghana’s poultry development efforts.

He reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring transparency in distribution and effective monitoring to maximize impact.

He further stated that the support from the FAO and EU demonstrates the strong partnership between Ghana and the international community in advancing food security and agricultural resilience.

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have welcomed the collaboration, expressing optimism that the programme will help reduce the country’s poultry import bill, expand local production capacity, and stimulate growth within the broader agricultural value chain.

With the donation now received and distribution underway, the Nkokonkitinkiti Programme is set to become one of the most transformative interventions in the poultry sector in recent years.

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MoFA receives forty-five thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc45,000) worth of inputs from RMG to support Farmers’ Day Celebration

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has received input donation worth Thirty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc30,000) and a cheque of Fifteen
Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc15,000) from RMG Ghana Limited to support the farmers on the Farmers’ Day Celebration.

RMG, an agri-input company focused on providing quality inputs presented bio stimulants, folia fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides to the Ministry in support of the Farmers’ Day Celebration.

Presenting the items, the Head of Sales of RMG, Henry Asabre said supporting the farmers during Farmers’ Day has been the company’s trademark.

He asserted that the aim of the company is to provide good input to the farmers to ensure quality yield, the more there is good yields, the more food security is ensured.

He noted that there are a lot of influx of fake inputs in the systems that derail food quality in the country. To him, this has made it difficult for the farmers to ascertain quality inputs, however, RMG’s mandate is to bridge the gap by getting the quality inputs to the doorsteps of the farmer.

He acknowledged the farmers for their support for feeding the country and assured of the company’s support to produce quality inputs to enhance quality production in the country.

Receiving the items, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku acclaimed RMG for the good gesture.

He extoled the company for the good products they distribute to the farmers. According to him, farmers have lauded the company’s products for good and quality yields.

He assured that the inputs and the money would be appropriately distribute to the deserving farmers during the day of the celebration.

He called other input dealers to fellow suit and their donation to celebrate the famers for their hard work to ensuring food security in Ghana.

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Agric Minister denies 67% increment of DCEs and MCEs salaries

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has denied allegations of government increasing District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) salaries to 67%.

Hon. Opoku’s comments came amidst growing concerns about the cost of living in Ghana and the need for government officials to lead by example.‎

Speaking to the media, Hon. Opoku emphasized that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has not raised salaries for these positions since taking office.‎

He explained that DCEs and MCEs are captured under Article 71 of the constitution, and on 2011 a committee called Ewurama Committee was set up and upon the report, it was suggested that the MCEs and DCEs are to be pushed to award point 55 which every year their salaries should be increase by 10%.

He highlighted that before NDC left office in 2016, every DCE or MCE was received a salary of GH¢16,445, but the previous government refused to pay the 10% increment until the last government’s local government Minister, Hon. Dan Botwe, approved the 10% increment, increasing their salary and ex gratia from GH¢16,445 GH¢32,000.‎‎

The Minister urged for a 55% salary increase, implying a 10% annual increment, to address the compensation gap for these officials.‎‎

“We are pushing for a 55% increase, which translates to a 10% annual increment, to ensure that our DCEs and MCEs are fairly compensated for their work,” Hon. stated.‎‎

As Minister, Opoku has been vocal about agricultural development, focusing on initiatives like the Poultry Farm to the Table Programme and the Feed Ghana Programme to boost food production and reduce imports.

‎‎His stance on DCE and MCE salaries reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and fair compensation.‎‎

The proposed salary increase for DCEs and MCEs is expected to be discussed by the government and stakeholders in the coming weeks.‎‎

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Ho offers a conducive and well-positioned environment for this year’s Farmers’ Day Celebration – Hon. Eric Opoku

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has undertaken an inspection tour of the Ho Stadium, the designated venue for the 41st National Farmers’ Day Celebration, scheduled for 5th December 2024 in the Volta Regional capital.

The Minister was accompanied by the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The visit formed part of government’s preparations to ensure the successful hosting of the national event, which celebrates Ghana’s hardworking farmers and fishers.

Hon. Opoku expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation at the stadium. After touring the facility—including the pitch, seating areas, parking spaces, and designated exhibition zones—he commended the regional authorities and the local organizing committee for the work done so far.

He noted that the Ho Stadium offered a conducive and well-positioned environment for this year’s celebrations.

The Minister also announced that the Ministry would replace all broken seats in the stadium as part of efforts to enhance safety and create additional seating space for guests and members of the general public who will attend the ceremony.

He emphasized government’s commitment to providing a comfortable and secure venue for the thousands expected to participate in the national event.

This year’s Farmers’ Day celebration will not only feature the main awards ceremony but will also host a variety of exhibition stands, where agribusinesses, innovators, and farmer groups will showcase products, technologies, and services within the agricultural value chain.

The stadium also provides a spacious parking area to accommodate VIPs, dignitaries, invited guests, and the general public.

Ahead of the national event, a five-day seminar for key stakeholders in the agricultural sector was held in Ho.

The seminar brought together policy makers, farmers, researchers, extension officers, and private sector actors to deliberate on key issues confronting the sector and to propose solutions for enhancing food security and productivity.

The 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration is expected to draw participants from across the country, as the nation once again honors and rewards its most outstanding farmers and fishers for their contribution to Ghana’s economy and food systems.

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Dried Fruit Project to strengthen Ghana’s exports capacity and create jobs for the youth

Fruit producers, Processors, Exporters, representatives from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Crop Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Development partners from the dried fruit sector convened at the La Palm Royal Beach to deliberate on strategies to unearth the full potential of the sector.

The high-level meeting was under the Ghana Dried Fruits project, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) with local coordination by Knox Consulting Limited to bring sector actors together to address bottlenecks and bring holistic solutions to build a resilient export fruit sector.

The workshop was a sequel to many successful ones organised to foster collaboration among sector actors.

The theme for the workshop; “Export Demand for Processed Fruits and Raw Material Supply” seeks to provide the platform for stakeholders to strategise on how Ghana’s raw material supply chain for fruits can be better organised to meet the growing export demand of the European Union (EU) and other high-end markets.

The workshop provided opportunities for individuals to share experiences and best practices, as well as explore strategies to enhance competitiveness along the value chain.

The Ministry commended private partners that adopt sustainable practices and inclusive models to drive the country towards its development agenda.

The CBI Program Manager, Femke Dekker, in her opening remarks noted that the aim of the project is to foster sustainable growth within Ghana’s processed fruits and vegetables industry with a particular focus on the dried fruits sector.

She emphasised that ensuring the sector remains attractive and rewarding for the next generation is essential for long-term development.

“By bringing key actors together, “we aim to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive value chain that meets buyer expectations and strengthens the connection between Ghana and international markets,” she stated.

The Managing Partner, Mrs. Sheila Assibey-Yeboah, represented Knox Consulting Limited, the National Coordinator of the CBI Dried Fruits Project, noted that “the workshop represents a significant step towards positioning Ghana as a reliable supplier of quality raw materials that meet EU standards and other global markets.

Mrs. Assibey-Yeboah underscored the importance of empowering local enterprises to thrive in the export market, highlighting that doing so will strengthen collaboration among sector actors, create opportunities for youth and vulnerable groups, as well as enable women to take leadership roles in making Ghana a leading source of quality raw materials.”

Dr. Solomon Gyan-Ansah, the Director of the Crop Services Directorate at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, stated that Ghana could significantly benefit from the rising global demand for dried and processed fruits.

Ghana has a strong competitive edge due to its favorable growing conditions, high-quality fruit varieties, reliable supply chains, and supportive policies and regulations.

In a presentation by the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Mr. Raymond Rashid Kramer, it was stated that GEPA has commenced the Ghana Trade House initiative to promote made-in-Ghana processed goods abroad.

According to Mr. Raymond Rashid Kramer, his outfit has established physical trade houses abroad to promote market access, develop a business climate, enhance product visibility, and facilitate the economic integration of Ghanaian commodities.

“The goal is to boost non-traditional exports, foster to boost non-traditional exports, foster economic integration, and promote made in Ghana goods,” he added.

The workshop brought together the Ghanaian delegation who participated in the Anuga 2025 Conference held in Germany to share their experiences with value chain actors in the fruit sector.

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Ghana receives €2.4m from EU to support four forest restoration projects

In the wake of the destruction of several forest reserves by illegal miners, the European Union in Ghana has awarded a €2.4 million grant to support four forest restoration projects across the country.

Stakeholders are optimistic that this intervention will not only help restore degraded forest reserves but also improve the livelihoods of farmers living within the affected areas.

Ghana’s forest reserves have come under severe threat from the activities of illegal miners, popularly known as galamsey. In several forests in the Ahafo, Bono East, Upper East, and Western Regions, the situation has been further compounded by illegal logging and recurring wildfires.

To help tackle this challenge, the European Union has provided €2.4 million in grants to three not-for-profit organisations to support the restoration of about 5,000 hectares of forest.

According to the Head of Infrastructure and Sustainable Development at the EU Delegation to Ghana, Paulina Pozycka, the increasing degradation of forest reserves poses serious risks to ecosystems, local economies, and surrounding communities, and must therefore be addressed urgently.

“The EU is happy to back Ghana’s forest restoration policy, and it is happy to contribute to the government effort to achieve the sustainable development, and the forest are part of it. The forest is the opportunity of livelihood for many people,” she said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the project launch, she added that the initiative also includes building the capacity of 20,000 farmers in rural communities to help improve their livelihoods.

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Declare state of emergency in galamsey-hit zones – Catholic Bishops urge gov’t

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) is urging the government to adopt far more radical measures in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), including the declaration of a state of emergency in high-risk mining areas.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its Annual Plenary Assembly held in Damongo in the Savannah Region, the Conference described the scale of ecological destruction caused by galamsey as “a profound moral crisis and a spiritual challenge.”

The Bishops stressed that a synodal Church recognises creation not as a resource to be exploited, but as “a covenantal partner deserving of respect and care.”

According to the communiqué, recent figures show Ghana has lost more than 5,252 hectares of forest reserves to illegal mining in 2025 alone, while 44 out of 288 forest reserves are now considered degraded. An estimated 75% of the country’s rivers are polluted, largely due to mercury and cyanide used in unregulated mining operations.

While acknowledging initiatives such as the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Bishops said the scale of devastation demands a more aggressive national response.

They called on President John Dramani Mahama to announce tougher interventions, including:

  • A state of emergency in high-risk illegal mining zones.
  • Swift and impartial prosecution of offenders, regardless of political ties.
  • Full reclamation of lands destroyed by illegal and irresponsible mining.
  • Transparent national reporting on water quality, forest cover, and food safety.

The GCBC also commended chiefs and queen mothers who have taken bold stands against illegal mining in their communities, urging others to follow suit.

They further appealed to all citizens to take ownership of the fight, saying Ghana’s land and water bodies must be “sanitised and healed” for the sake of current and future generations.

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Rainbow Agrosciences and IWMI donate to the Agric Ministry to support the Farmers’ Day Celebration

Rainbow Agrosciences and the International Water Management Institute have donated an inputs and cash to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support the Farmers’ Day Celebration.

The Rainbow Agrosciences presented an input worth Two hundred and seventy thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢270,000) and cash cheque of Thirty thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢30,000) totalling One hundred thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢100,000). Whilst the International Water Management Institute donated One hundred bags of organic fertilizers.

60 boxes of different inputs namely, weedicides, fungicides, insecticides and Akateking that is widely and popularly used by the cocoa farmers.

During the presentation at the Ministry’s forecourt, the Technical Director of Rainbow Agrosciences, Mr. Georgr Selasie Ocloo said Rainbow Agrosciences has partnered with the ministry’s flagship programme, Crop Clinic, where they work with the extension officers to educate the farmers on good agronomical practices.

With such collaboration he said things have been structured to the extent of reaching every farmer and every mile where production take place, therefore, it is their responsibility to contribute to the happiness and rewards of the gallant farmers.

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and its partner, Jakora have donated 100 bags of Fortifer compost: an organic fertilizer to support the Farmers’ Day Celebration.

To underscore the objective of the donation to the farmers, the IWMI rep. said the institute and Jakora is to partner with the Ministry of Agric to support the farmers to have safe agriculture practices for healthy production for the nation.

The rep. underlined the significant patronage of organic fertilizer. “It is important to make agriculture practice environmentally sustainable and environmentally friendly. That is why we are departing from inorganic fertilizer to compost fertilizer.”

Receiving these donations, the Minister of Agric, Hon. Eric Opoku commended the donners for such gestures to appreciate the hard work of the Ghanaian farmers.

“We are grateful for this opportunity, and I want to assure you that whatever you have given will go straight to the farmers because they are the beneficiaries, we are all surviving because of their hard work and when we empower them properly, they can deliver to the satisfaction of everybody,” he added.

He assured of deepened partnership and called for furtherance assistance as the need arise.

He called all the stakeholders to come on board to make the celebration a success. “We all have one responsibility, that is to ensuring affordability of food so that everybody wherever you are located in the country can have unimpeded access to food,” Hon. Minister added.

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Peasant Farmers Association calls for 10% allocation of the 2026 budget to the Agric Sector

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana is calling on the government for 10% allocation of the 2026 budget to the agriculture sector.

The Finance Minister is expected to present the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy that will improve the life of the citizens to Parliament on 13 November 2025.

Expressing the concerns and the expectations of the stakeholders of the economy, the Acting Executive Director of Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Mr. Bismark Owusu Nortey is calling on the government to allocate 10% of the 2026 budget to the agric sector.

Speaking to Agric Today ahead of the 2026 budget hearing, Mr. Nortey highlighted the significant role that the agric sector contributes to Ghana’s economy, been the bedrock of the economic recovery, therefore, the need for greater investment in the sector.

Accordding to him, the budget allocation to the sector should be geared towards capital infrastructure, where there should be construction of irrigation facilities, warehousing, constructing farmer service centres, good roads to transform the sector.

Transforming agriculture at the northern part of Ghana, Mr. Nortey said there should be some investments in the irrigation system like the Pwalugu Dam, desilting and reconstruction of previous constructed dams and support of small and medium-sized and solar-powered boreholes and pumps.

To mitigate importation of agriculture equipment, he said the government should commit to facilitate manufacturing of appropriate mechanization equipment like power tillers, small planters, harvesters; the government should support the private sector to develop these equipment locally.

“Currently seen what is going regarding to the gluts, we don’t want to have such experience in the future, so with that regards we are calling the government to set up an Agriculture Investment Fund, where they would be able to raise money for agriculture expenditure including mitigation of unanticipated shocks like the current happenings”, he added

Again he mentioned, the government can use the budget as a vehicle to push for procurement of exclusively locally produced foods where the state institutions would be directly mandated to purchase from the local farmers.

He bewailed at the lack of funds to the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and asked for deliberate allocation of resources to be able to mob-up all rice and grains in the systems to curb future turbulence like how the farmers are facing.

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GH¢500m needed to tackle food glut – Eric Opoku

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has disclosed that the government will require about GH¢500 million to address the ongoing oversupply of farm produce, commonly referred to as a food glut.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, November 10, 2025, Hon. Minister stressed the importance of a coordinated and data-driven approach in resolving the issue, warning that inaction could discourage farmers from reinvesting in agriculture.

“You do not just get up and move into a farm because there is a glut. You need to move there with your technical team to ascertain the amount of farm produce to be procured.

“From the figures we are receiving, we will need about GH¢500 million to be able to clear it,” he said.

The Minister revealed that his outfit is in discussions with the World Food Programme and other development partners to explore strategies for managing the glut and preventing future occurrences.

“If we are able to deal with it properly, it can encourage our farmers to reinvest in farming because it becomes profitable. But if we don’t act and allow these foods to go to waste, it will be a huge loss of the century, and people will be demotivated to invest in agriculture,” Hon. Opoku added.

The government’s move forms part of broader efforts to stabilise food prices, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and ensure sustainable agricultural production nationwide.

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