Nutrition
Old Ghanaian meal
When a non- Ghanaian comes on a tour and asks for our local dishes, one will not hesitate to mention the likes of fufu, banku, waakye, aprapransa, ‘gari foto’ and ‘mpotompoto.’
These could be the dishes we are familiar with. What of the very ones which names are barely mentioned?
They are as follows:
Abekatekonto: It is a combination of three local soups – palm nut soup ‘Ab3’, groundnut soup ‘Kate’ and ‘Kontomire soup’. This soup combination is best served with ‘omutuo’ (rice balls), banku or gari.
Brodokuno: It is prepared with a mixture of ripe and unripe plantain this meal is best served in neat plantain leaves with palm nut soup.
Wasawasa: Wasawasa is a popular staple made from yam in some parts of northern Ghana.
It is served with sheabutter oil and onions. It is delicacy for the people of the northern region.
Yumbeka: This is not a foreign name. It is a local dish made out of bean leaves best known for its nutritious contents.
Kwankwan: The name of this dish was coined out of the noise food vendors make whenever they serve their buyers. It is similar to the best known waakye but made from local rice and served with a spicy tomato sauce.
Source: yen
Ingredients:
- 2 large beetroots, peeled and chopped
- 1 large apple, chopped
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ½ cup of water
- Ice cubes (optional)
Method:
- Add the chopped beetroot, apple, and ginger to a juicer.
- Juice the ingredients and collect the juice in a glass.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and mix well.
- Add water to adjust the consistency and taste.
- Strain the juice if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Benefits of Beetroot:
- Rich in antioxidants and vitamins
- May help lower blood pressure
- Supports heart health
- Provides essential nutrients to the body
By: Theresa Dzifa Tsetse
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Introduction:
Malnutrition has quietly become one of Ghana’s most urgent public health threats. Though it may not always dominate headlines like infectious diseases, its effects on children under five are devastating, impacting physical growth, cognitive development, academic potential, and long-term productivity.
What is RUTF?
Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is a groundbreaking innovation in treating malnutrition. Each sachet contains a scientifically formulated blend of energy, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals, compacted into a highly absorbable paste.
Malnourished children often have weak digestive systems, making it difficult for their bodies to process ordinary foods or hospital diets. RUTF bypasses these challenges, delivering nutrients in a form the body can immediately use for healing and rebuilding.
Rapid Impact and Benefits:
- Energy levels rise, appetite returns, and weight gain is often noticeable within days.
- Helps prevent complications such as infections, stunting, and developmental delays.
- Can be administered safely at home, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits.
- Frees health facilities to focus on the most critical cases.
Effectiveness:
Studies across Africa show recovery rates of over 80% when RUTF is used correctly. By shortening recovery time, children return to normal growth patterns, rejoin school, and regain the vitality necessary for healthy development.
Why It Matters for Ghana:
RUTF is more than a medical intervention—it’s an investment in the nation’s future. Children who recover from severe malnutrition are more likely to thrive academically, contribute economically, and grow into healthier adults.
The long-term social and economic benefits ripple far beyond households, strengthening Ghana’s human capital and making RUTF a strategic national priority.
By: Women, Media and Change – Nourish Ghana Project
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