President John Dramani Mahama has declared his firm opposition to the influx of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and hormone-injected chicken into Ghana, reiterating his government’s commitment to expanding the country’s local poultry industry to ensure food security, reduce imports and create sustainable employment for young people.
President Mahama made these remarks during a working visit to the National Service Authority (NSA) Poultry Production Hub at Papao, in the Greater Accra, where the Authority, under the auspices of Mastercard foundation is implementing a pioneering model in sustainable poultry farming, youth training and agri-enterprise development.
John Mahama’s rejection of genetically modified (GM) poultry has raised important questions about the future direction of Ghana’s poultry industry.
While the country’s existing biosafety laws technically allow for the introduction of GMO poultry, the President’s public stance signals strong political resistance to adopting such technology in the near term.
This position reflects broader concerns about potential health risks, the protection of local farmers and national food sovereignty.
As a result, despite the legal framework permitting GMO poultry, the likelihood of its adoption, under the current administration, appears low.
The decision underscores the uncertainty surrounding Ghana’s path toward modernising its poultry sector and balancing innovation with public trust.
Despite heavy rains on the day of the visit, the President toured the facility, interacted with National Service Personnel and lauded their efforts in boosting domestic poultry production through modern, eco-friendly farming methods.
We don’t know how those chickens were raised,” President Mahama said, referring to imported frozen poultry.
“In many countries, they use genetically modified chickens. They inject them with hormones to speed up growth, wondering why Ghana allows such meat to enter her markets while neglecting its own farmers.
Concerns over Imported Chicken: ‘Nkoko Funu’ No More
Ghana spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually on the importation of frozen chicken -locally referred to as ‘nkokofunu’.
Much of this poultry originates from countries with different agricultural and food safety standards, a situation President Mahama finds alarming.
He added that Ghanaians have no idea how these imported chickens are processed. Yet, they are sold cheaply and in huge quantities, undermining Ghana’s local farmers and exposing consumers to potential health risks.
The President described the NSA’s work at Papao as a “national model” that embodies his vision of agricultural transformation led by young people, supported by the state and rooted in science, innovation and sustainability.
Nkuko Nkitikiti’ Initiative to Launch in October
A key part of the President’s plan is the “Nkuko Nkitikiti” initiative, a major national programme to transform poultry production in Ghana.
The initiative, which he announced will officially launch in October 2025, seeks to ensure that within three years, Ghana will produce nearly 100% of the chicken consumed domestically.
We believe that in three years, with the right investment and training, we can produce almost all the chickens Ghanaians eat right here in Ghana.
“We can end our reliance on imported chicken and invest in the health and livelihood of our people.”
The President emphasised that ‘Nkuko Nkitikiti’ is not only a food security policy, but also a job creation programme targeted at Ghana’s youth, especially graduates entering the National Service Scheme and agriculture sector.
Support for Feed Production and Crop Diversification
President Mahama also highlighted the importance of integrated agricultural development, revealing that the NSA is cultivating maize farms in multiple regions to support poultry feed production. He announced plans to visit the Authority’s maize farms in October, underscoring the synergy between maize cultivation and poultry production.
In addition to poultry and maize, the NSA is also engaged in vegetable farming, producing crops such as tomatoes, which President Mahama said would further enhance food security and nutrition across the country.
Commendation for NSA and National Service Personnel
President Mahama commended the leadership of the NSA, as well as the young national service personnel and volunteers, for their dedication to the cause of national development.
“You are climbing a good tree, and I will push you with all my strength,” The President said and added, “I am very impressed with what I’ve seen. You’ve shown that the youth can lead in agriculture if given the tools and opportunity.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the NSA’s projects, stating that his government will work closely with the Authority to scale up operations and replicate the model across other regions of Ghana.
President Mahama ended his visit with a call for a national mindset shift towards self-reliance and pride in local production.
The President’s remarks align with his broader policy agenda to industrialise agriculture, reduce import dependency, and build resilience within Ghana’s economy through innovation and youth-led initiatives.
By Richard Owusu-Akyaw & Jennifer Ambolley
