The National Service Authority (NSA), a key partner in the Harmonizing Agriculture, Productivity, and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Project, has intensified efforts to boost Ghana’s poultry industry.
The initiative, backed by the Mastercard Foundation in collaboration with Agri-Impact Limited, aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for large-scale poultry production under the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ agenda.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the NSA took delivery of 10,000 day-old chicks at its Papao farms in Haatso, marking a significant milestone in the project’s Poultry Value Chain Component.
The authority is currently expanding its poultry infrastructure, including the construction of a 100,000-capacity bird facility, with an initial 20,000-capacity unit already operational.
As part of the project, the NSA aims to produce 1.5 million birds, while also equipping National Service Personnel and community youth with practical skills in poultry farming. This initiative is expected to facilitate a transition into sustainable agricultural vocations and create employment opportunities.
The HAPPY Project aligns with the government’s broader agricultural agenda, which prioritizes reducing poultry imports, strengthening local production, and ensuring food security.
With government backing, the NSA is working towards establishing broiler clusters in designated locations across the country, significantly increasing Ghana’s poultry output.
Additionally, the NSA is promoting large-scale layer farming for egg production in collaboration with selected Senior High and Technical Schools. This move is expected to reduce the cost of eggs in Ghana and contribute to national food security objectives.
The HAPPY Project is a four-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited, designed to create 326,000 dignified jobs for Ghanaian youth, particularly young women and persons with disabilities, in the rice, soybean, tomato, and poultry sectors.
The initiative is implemented by an eight-member consortium, including Newage Agric Solutions, NSA, Ghana CARES (MiDA), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), TechnoServe, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Jobberman.
Since its launch in December 2023, the project has already created over 138,000 job opportunities, demonstrating its potential to drive youth employment and agribusiness growth.
With continued support from government and stakeholders, the NSA’s expanded poultry production under the HAPPY Project is expected to revolutionize Ghana’s poultry industry, ensuring long-term benefits for the economy and its people.
source: www.kumasimail.com/ Kwadwo Owusu
