E/R CNC organises cooking competition for religious women groups to promote Ghana’s culinary heritage

 Ghana’s rich culinary heritage was on full dis­play during this year’s Ghanaian and Traditional Food Cooking Competition for religious women groups in the Eastern Region.

The event, organised by the Eastern Regional office of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in collabora­tion with Promasidor Ghana Limited, was to promote and preserve Ghana’s tradition­al foods while encouraging healthier eating habits.

Under the theme “Promot­ing and preserving our local food: A healthy life,” the competition brought together women from various religious groups, including the Assem­blies of God, Christ Apos­tolic Church, Lion of Judah, International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Church of Pentecost, Anglican Church, Methodist Church, Presbyte­rian Church Hope Assembly, and the Federation of Muslim Women Association.

Participants prepared and showcased a variety of tradi­tional dishes, including fufu with palm nut soup, banku with okro soup, waakye with shito, and tuo zaafi, among others.

At the end of the competi­tion, ICGC emerged winners, followed by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in second place, and the Federation of Muslim Women Association in third.

The Eastern Regional Di­rector of CNC, Madam Dorcas Salamatu Alhassan, expressed concern over the increas­ing preference for foreign and processed foods among Ghanaian families.

She emphasised that many of these foods were unhealthy compared to the traditional meals.

“Our local foods are a gift from God, rich in nutrients and essential for our well-be­ing. It is important that we prioritise them and encourage the younger generation to do the same,” she stated.

She urged parents to introduce local dishes to their children to ensure they grow up healthy and strong, con­tributing meaningfully to the nation’s development.

Additionally, she encour­aged Ghanaians to support made-in-Ghana products, as this would help strengthen local industries and boost economic growth.

“As we promote local food, it is also necessary to train our children to speak our local dialects,” she added, and explained that language and food are key aspects of cultural identity.

Mrs Tharzia Numako Ak­wetey, the New Juaben South Municipal Agriculture Direc­tor, speaking on behalf of the Eastern Regional Director of Agriculture, Habiba Yusufu, highlighted the role of local foods in maintaining physical and mental well-being.

“Our traditional foods are a core part of our identity, preserving customs and tra­ditions while also supporting farmers, transporters, pro­cessors, hoteliers, and food vendors,” she noted.

She warned that globali­sation and modernisation have led to a decline in the consumption of local foods and emphasized the need for education on their nutritional and cultural significance.

“By promoting local foods, we are preserving our herit­age and ensuring a healthier future for Ghanaians,” she concluded.

 From Ama Tekyiwaa  Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua