President John Dramani Mahama on Friday said his government would soon turn Bechem, the Tano South Municipal capital of the Ahafo Region into a ‘chicken capital’ of Ghana.
He explained that work on the construction of a poultry processing factory project by his government in the town was about 50 percent complete, saying if anybody wanted to consume and buy chicken, then the person ought to go to Bechem.
President Mahama said contractors executing the project had assured of completing the project by 2027 to be inaugurated accordingly.
The President said this when he inspected the progress of work on the project at Bechem as part of his two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region.
President Mahama advised the people to capitalize the implementation of the ‘Nkoko Nketekete” programme, and engaged in commercial poultry production, saying that with the factory in place there would easily access ready markets for their products.
He admitted that though some of the beneficiaries of the ‘Nkoko Nketekete’ programme consumed some of the birds, the programme had increased the nation’s poultry production above 22 percent.
Mr Eric Opoku, the Minister of Agriculture commended the contractor for the progress of the project, saying that through the “Nkoko Nketeke” programme egg production had increased significantly.
He said the country was presently negotiating with Burkina Faso for the export of eggs and to boost the economy.
Mr Kofi Annoh of the Cherry Tress Company limited, the contractors executing the project explained that the project had four big cold rooms, administration block, recreational facility, staff bungalow and a standard conference.
Nana Awuah Boadi, the Nifahene (sub-chief) of the Bechem Traditional Area also commended the government for the project, saying that on completion, the facility would create job opportunities for the youth in the area.
By Dennis Peprah, GNA