Story By: Nana Kwasi Roka – Nationaltymes.com
PRESIDENT John Dramani Mahama’s flagship poultry policy, “Akoko Nkitinkiti,” touted as a game-changer for Ghana’s agricultural sector, has been hit by a storm of controversy, following a fiery petition from the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers (GNAPF), alleging political interference, exclusion and irregularities in its rollout.
In a strongly worded petition addressed to President Mahama and copied to key government officials, the association – which represents over 500,000 poultry farmers, hatcheries, processors and related stakeholders across all 16 regions – warned that the program risks losing credibility if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
According to the association, the selection of Anchor Farmers – key players expected to lead production under the policy – was conducted behind closed doors, without any consultations with GNAPF or industry players.
“Our investigations, backed by reports from our regional chapters, show that the selection process was opaque, biased and riddled with political patronage. Not a single GNAPF member has been included, despite our unmatched national coverage and track record,” the petition revealed.
GNAPF argued that such exclusion undermines the entire Akoko Nkitinkiti initiative, part of the government’s broader Reset Ghana Agenda, which seeks to reduce poultry imports, enhance food security and create jobs.
The Stakes Are High
Ghana’s poultry industry is no small player in the economy:
● Over 500,000 Ghanaians – many of them women and youth – are employed in the sector.
● The sector contributes 34% of the livestock GDP.
● The country stands to save over $600 million annually by slashing poultry imports if the initiative succeeds.
The association stressed that sidelining its members could jeopardize the success of the policy, as many of the selected Anchor Farmers lack the technical capacity, infrastructure and scale required to deliver on such an ambitious national programme.
“This isn’t just an oversight; it’s an existential threat to a policy that could revolutionize Ghana’s agriculture,” the petition warned.
GNAPF’s Demands
The association is calling for nothing short of presidential intervention. Their demands include:
- An immediate forensic audit of the selection process to weed out biases and ensure fair representation of GNAPF members.
- Official recognition of GNAPF as a strategic partner in the policy’s planning, implementation and monitoring.
- A high-level stakeholder summit chaired by President Mahama himself to chart a roadmap for the poultry sector.
- A presidential proclamation reaffirming zero tolerance for political interference in agricultural programmes.
Why GNAPF Matters
GNAPF didn’t mince words about its relevance, noting that:
● It has presence in all 16 regions and oversees over 40,000 poultry enterprises.
● Its members produce more than 85% of Ghana’s local poultry.
● It has partnered successfully with USAID, FAO and other international agencies on agricultural programmes.
● Its members are technically and infrastructurally ready to expand production under the policy.
“Don’t Let This Opportunity Slip Away”
The association’s final plea to President Mahama was clear: act swiftly or risk derailing a transformational policy.
“History will judge Akoko Nkitinkiti as a historic success or a missed opportunity, depending on your intervention. We stand ready to work with your government to build a poultry sector that is resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive,” the petition concluded.
As Ghana watches closely, the ball is now in President Mahama’s court.
Stay with Nationaltymes.com for updates on this developing story.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
