The Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Mr. Felix Gyamfi, has directed the Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations, Hon. Fuseini Donkor, to oversee the general activities of the Authority’s Papao Farms as part of efforts to take the lead to impelement President John Mahama’s “Nkokɔ Nketenkete” Project aimed to boosting Ghana’s poultry industry.
The initiative, aimed at creating employment opportunities for the youth and enhancing the poultry industry, is expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity and support individuals engaged in poultry farming.
Mr. Felix Gyamfi expressed strong confidence in Hon. Donkor’s ability to transform the NSA’s farms into profitable ventures, citing his wealth of experience as the former District Chief Executive (DCE) of Sekyere Afram Plains in the Eastern Region.
According to him, Hon. Fuseini Donkor possesses the leadership and expertise required to generate substantial revenue through the Authority’s agricultural projects.
The Director-General made this comment during a meeting with stakeholders on plans to make the Papao farms a number one hub for chicken products in the country and beyond.
Mr. Felix Gyamfi emphasised the need for a collective approach to ensure the success of the poultry farm. He highlighted that the NSA, with its strategic position, can create an enabling environment for agricultural ventures, thereby generating Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) to support its operations. “The NSA stands in a better position to leverage agricultural activities to create wealth and support national development. I know that focusing on poultry production, we can tap into the growing demand for poultry products while providing sustainable employment for the youth,” he stated.
Hon. Fuseini Donkor, who has taken up the task of supervising operations at Papao Farms, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the success of the Nkokɔ Nketenkete initiative.
Clad in military apparel, he inspected ongoing poultry construction at the farm site in Accra, which is part of a broader 300,000-capacity poultry project.
The initiative is a strategic partnership between the NSA and the MasterCard Foundation, designed to enhance poultry production and improve productivity within the country.
Speaking during a meeting with farm managers and workers, Hon. Fuseini Donkor underscored the rising demand for poultry products in Ghana, particularly in urban areas.
Jobs
“In Ghana, the majority of households consume poultry products. As such, this partnership with the MasterCard Foundation will not only enhance poultry production but also create jobs and empower the youth. I am fully committed to ensuring the success of this initiative,” he assured.
The Deputy Director-General for Operations also disclosed that the Nkokɔ Nketenkete agenda would not be limited to Accra but would be expanded to other regions and districts across the country.
“The initiative has come to stay. After Papao, we intend to expand to other regions and districts, ensuring that more young people benefit from this employment and agribusiness opportunity,” he added.
As part of measures to improve the welfare of National Service Personnel (NSP), Hon. Fuseini Donkor explained an upcoming free egg programme aimed at boosting their nutrition and morale. “There is a need to make the national service experience rewarding. We will introduce the free egg programme for all NSP, which will not only improve their nutrition but also boost their confidence and productivity during their service year,” he noted.
Beyond poultry farming, he said, the NSA intends to use Papao Farms as a research and training centre for students pursuing agricultural studies. This, according to him, will provide a platform for hands-on learning and practical training, ultimately enhancing expertise in the sector.
For his part, Agribusiness consultant, Abdul Razak Sania stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for poultry farming, ensuring maximum productivity and profitability. He emphasised that with the right conditions, the initiative could yield significant economic benefits for the country.
Meanwhile, other partners have expressed readiness to support the NSA in expanding its agricultural ventures beyond poultry. Plans are underway to introduce piggery, rabbitry, fish farming, and grasscutter rearing to further diversify employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young Ghanaians.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/NSA/Obed Ansah
