By Alex Ababio
Mr. John Senya, Organiser of the Ashanti Regional Poultry Farmers Association and CEO of Senya Farms, is calling on government to reconsider its funding approach under the much-anticipated Nkoko Nkentenkente poultry farming initiative, aimed at tackling Ghana’s soaring youth unemployment.
Speaking to Ghanaian Watch in Aduamoah, Afigya Kwabre East, Mr. Senya stressed the importance of channeling project funds directly to rural banks to make them more accessible to smallholder and youth-led poultry ventures.
“We need a system that empowers young farmers, not one that favors big anchor players,” Mr. Senya said. “If government deposits the funds with rural banks, it will allow small poultry farmers across the country to access the support they need without the usual bottlenecks.”
Recent statistics place youth unemployment figures in Ghana at over 1.5 million, a growing concern that has forced the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration to roll out a series of targeted job-creation programs. Chief among these is the Nkoko Nkentenkente initiative, a cornerstone of the government’s ambitious 24-hour economy agenda.
Designed to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable rural livelihoods, the poultry project is seen as a key opportunity to integrate the youth into agribusiness.
As momentum builds around the initiative, the Ashanti Regional Poultry Farmers Association has presented a proposal urging for more inclusive and transparent implementation strategies. Their model includes engaging contract outgrower farmers with guaranteed funding to build poultry housing, drill boreholes, purchase feed, and cover general production costs.
“It’s not just about creating jobs. It’s about creating lasting opportunities,” Mr. Senya emphasized. “With the right funding structures and accountability, this project can be a lifeline for thousands of unemployed youth.”
The association is also advocating for an additional loan facility to support existing poultry farms in expanding their operations, boosting local production, and strengthening food security.
Sector players warn that if the government fails to adopt practical funding models, the project may repeat the mistakes of previous agricultural programs that struggled with elite capture and limited rural impact.
As Ghana’s government moves forward with its 24-hour economy vision, all eyes are now on how initiatives like Nkoko Nkentenkente are rolled out. Many, including Mr. Senya, believe that only with effective funding partnerships and grassroots engagement can the project achieve its full potential.
“The youth are ready. The farmers are ready. What we need now is a government system that works with us, not around us,” Mr. Senya added.
With growing pressure to deliver results, the success of the Nkoko Nkentenkente initiative may hinge on how well government listens to those on the ground.