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Report by Edward FRIMPONG
The National Service Authority (NSA), a key consortium partner in the HAPPY Project, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited, has taken another significant step in advancing Ghana’s poultry industry.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the NSA received 10,000 day-old chicks at its farms in Papao, Haatso, marking a crucial milestone in the Poultry Value Chain Component of the project.
While enhancing infrastructure at Papao, the NSA is currently constructing a 100,000-capacity bird facility, with a 20,000-capacity unit already in operation.
Since the inception of the HAPPY Project, the NSA has actively engaged in numerous initiatives aimed at transforming Ghana’s agricultural landscape. At its Papao farms, with support from private sector partners and in line with the project’s vision, the NSA is constructing a 20,000-capacity poultry facility to accommodate the growing number of birds. Under the project, the NSA is expected to produce 1.5 million birds while also building the capacity of National Service Personnel and community youth, equipping them with the necessary skills to transition into agriculture and sustainable vocations that lead to dignified employment.
The HAPPY Project aligns seamlessly with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for large-scale poultry production, encapsulated in the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ (Day-Old Chicks) agenda. The project has garnered presidential interest and commitment, with ongoing efforts to expand Papao’s poultry infrastructure. With support from the government and other stakeholders, the NSA is poised to establish broiler clusters in designated locations across Ghana, scaling poultry production to hundreds of thousands of birds nationwide.
Beyond broiler production, the NSA, with government support, is prioritizing layer farming for large-scale egg production, particularly in collaboration with selected Senior High and Technical Schools. This initiative is expected to significantly contribute to reducing the cost of eggs in Ghana, a key objective under the President’s agricultural vision.
With government backing as a key stakeholder and through the unwavering commitment of its trusted partners, the NSA is set to expand Ghana’s poultry capacity in alignment with the government’s overarching goal: reducing poultry imports, strengthening local production, and ensuring food security. The HAPPY Project represents a bold step towards sustainable agricultural transformation, ultimately benefiting Ghana’s economy and its people.
The HAPPY Program is a four-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited, aiming to create 326,000 dignified work opportunities for Ghanaian youth, with a special focus on young women and persons with disabilities, within the rice, soybean, tomato, and poultry value chains.
Targeting youth aged 15-35, the program is implemented by an eight-member consortium, including Newage Agric Solutions, the National Service Authority (NSA), Ghana CARES (MiDA), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), TechnoServe, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Jobberman.
Since its roll out in December 2023, the program has already generated over 138,000 job opportunities in just 15 months, marking a significant milestone in youth employment and agribusiness development.
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