Chicken Gate: Ato Forson Hits Back at Critics of Nkoko Nkitinkiti Program

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has defended the government's Nkoko Nkitinkiti poultry initiative, insisting the programme remains successful despite reports that some beneficiaries have consumed the chickens they received instead of raising them for income generation. Speaking on JoyNews' PM Express on Thursday, July 23, Dr Forson said isolated cases of beneficiaries eating the birds should not be used to discredit what he described as an "excellent initiative" that is improving livelihoods across the country.

Background

The Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme forms part of the government's broader efforts to support household incomes, promote poultry production, and strengthen local food security by providing beneficiaries with chickens to rear as a sustainable source of income. The initiative has been in the spotlight recently after the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, disclosed that some beneficiaries had sent him photographs showing they had cooked and eaten the chickens distributed under the programme.

Dr Forson's comments come after public debate over Mr Opoku's remarks, with some sections of the public interpreting them to mean that a significant number of beneficiaries had consumed the chickens. However, Dr Forson clarified that Mr Opoku's remarks had been taken out of context, and that the reports had been misinterpreted by the public.

What This Means

The Finance Minister argued that not every beneficiary could be expected to have the entrepreneurial mindset required to build a poultry business from the birds they received. "Clearly, you don't expect that all the beneficiaries of the programme are business-minded and that they would want to keep the chickens, breed them, sell them, restock, and grow the business," he explained. He noted that some beneficiaries may not be business-minded, but that the vast majority of the people will be using the initiative to improve their economic circumstances.

Dr Forson also sought to clarify the agriculture minister's earlier remarks, stressing that they had been misinterpreted by sections of the public. "Most people have heard discussions about the fact that some of the chickens have been consumed. The minister never said that all the chickens had been consumed," he stated. He added that it was likely that people Mr Opoku knew or those who had access to him had sent him the photographs.

What Happens Next

The Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme has been hailed as an excellent initiative by Dr Forson, who has witnessed its impact within his own constituency. "I have people even within my constituency who happen to be beneficiaries of this programme, and I can confirm on your show that it is working well for them," he said. While acknowledging that some participants may not use the birds for their intended purpose, Dr Forson argued that no government intervention could realistically achieve a perfect success rate. He noted that even a success rate of 70 percent would be considered successful, and that the programme was delivering its intended benefits in communities across the country.

Dr Forson's defense of the programme comes as the government continues to implement initiatives aimed at supporting household incomes and promoting local food security. The Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme is just one part of a broader effort to address these issues, and Dr Forson's comments are likely to be closely watched by those interested in the government's plans for economic development. As the programme continues to roll out, it remains to be seen whether Dr Forson's confidence in its success will be vindicated.

Source: Joy Online