Fuseni Donkor, NSA Deputy Director – General, Operations, and some officials at the NSA during the inspection
The Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Mr. Felix Gyamfi, has directed the Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations, Fuseni Donkor, to immediately initiate the activities of the Authority’s Papao Farms as part of efforts to activate President John Mahama’s nkokɔ nketenkete agenda.
He gave the directive during a meeting with stakeholders on plans to make the Papao Farms a number one hub for chicken products in the country and beyond.
Papao Farms is located on the western foot hills of the University of Ghana, near the Papao community in Accra. The initiative is expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity and support individuals engaged in poultry farming.
Transform NSA farms
Mr. Gyamfi expressed strong confidence in Mr. 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 Ashanti Region.
According to him, the deputy director general in charge of operations possesses the leadership and expertise required to generate substantial revenue through the Authority’s agricultural projects.
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, could 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.
Mr. Fuseni 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. 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.
In a meeting with some farm managers and workers, Mr. Donkor underscored the rising demand for poultry products in Ghana, particularly in urban areas. “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.
Expansion across regions, districts
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), he revealed 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.
He indicated that, beyond poultry farming, the NSA would use Papao Farms as a research and training centre for students pursuing agricultural studies. This, according to him, would provide a platform for hands-on learning and practical training, ultimately enhancing expertise in the sector.
For his part, an 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.
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