The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has distanced himself from reports suggesting that a body known as the National Broiler Project Directorate is implementing poultry-related initiatives under his ministry.
According to the Minister, he is unaware of any such entity executing government-backed agricultural programmes, stressing that all official interventions fall under his direct supervision through established structures within the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The issue came to light during a discussion on The Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Host Bernard Avle sought clarification over concerns that some beneficiaries of the government’s “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” poultry programme had received fewer than the expected 50 birds.
Earlier on the programme, Kelvin Ocran, who identified himself as the National Coordinator of the alleged directorate, stated that the outfit focuses on supplying birds to large-scale farms as part of efforts to boost domestic poultry production.
He explained that the initiative aims to gradually build capacity among poultry farmers, particularly by supporting new entrants without overwhelming them.
“We do not want to give someone who is a novice over a thousand birds to raise. So, what we are doing is providing enough support for the industry,” he said.
However, reacting to the claims, Mr. Opoku firmly rejected any suggestion that the directorate operates under his ministry or has a mandate to implement state-backed projects.
“That office is supposed to be an advisory office. They don’t actually implement projects. I am surprised, and I am not aware of that,” he stated.
Pressed further on the existence of such a body within the ministry, the Minister responded emphatically: “No, no, no.”
He reiterated that all agricultural programmes are executed under his authority, noting that he has neither sanctioned nor been informed of any such initiative being carried out independently.
“I am the Minister for Food and Agriculture. All such projects are executed under my instruction, and my team is working. I have never heard that such a project is being run by another agency,” he added.
Mr. Opoku also raised concerns about the absence of any budgetary allocation for the purported initiative, casting further doubt on its legitimacy.
“In the budget, I also did not see any allocation for such an initiative. So, if that is a private initiative or something, I may not be aware,” he noted.
The development has triggered fresh concerns over coordination and transparency within Ghana’s poultry sector, especially as the government intensifies efforts to expand local production and tackle unemployment through targeted agricultural programmes.