Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has assured the National Service Authority (NSA) of the government's commitment to developing its Papao Poultry Farm into a Centre of Excellence. The Centre will serve as a producing farm, a training farm, and a research farm.

According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama inspected the Papao Poultry Farm in the Domekwabenya Constituency of the Greater Accra Region despite heavy rainfall. He expressed his appreciation for the work done by the National Service Authority and the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment. The farm, which has a 100,000-bird capacity, currently houses 70,000 birds.

The President pledged to support the farm's development into a Centre of Excellence by providing necessary infrastructure, including poultry processing plants, a hostel, vehicles, and a solar power plant to enhance electric supply. He emphasized the farm's potential as a model for other West African countries to study.

President Mahama also announced the upcoming launch of the Nkok? nkitinkiti project, which aims to boost poultry production in Ghana. The project will involve large-scale, medium-scale, and household producers, providing them with day-old chicks and necessary support. The government plans to purchase grown chickens from farmers and facilitate the construction of processing plants across the country, reducing the nation's poultry import bill.

He expressed confidence that the Nkok? nkitinkiti project would enable Ghana to produce nearly all its chicken within three years, eliminating the need for imports. The President's vision includes making the country self-sufficient in poultry production, branding and distributing chicken directly to supermarkets and cold stores.

Madam Ruth Dela Seddoh, Acting Director-General of NSA, stated that the Authority is dedicated to unlocking opportunities in agriculture, business, information technology, and other lucrative sectors to ensure that fresh graduates can earn a decent living.