Features
Our economic turmoil
• The prices of foodstuffs and non-food items have become so unbearably high
that we do not even know what to do about the situation
About five years ago, if anyone had predicted that Ghana and the world would be facing economic challenges of this dimension, many people would have hooted at such a person in disbelief.
Ghana’s economy was moving forward so well that we were not able to foresee the current economic hardships that have now bedevilled Ghana and the rest of the world. Measures taken by the country in the form of One District, One Factory, and Planting for Food and Jobs, were all measures that were being implemented in the right direction. Planting for Food and Jobs, for example, was meant to bring in enough food items to feed the people in Ghana and export the surplus to other countries.
Seeing it in this light, it was a good step that could have yielded fruitful results had it not been engulfed in this inflationary situation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war. It is unfortunate that things have gone this way, making life quite unbearable for Ghanaians.
As we speak today, the prices of foodstuffs and non-food items have become so unbearably high that we do not even know what to do about the situation. However, this is the time to remain calm and bring people together to live in peace while we take steps to reorganise ourselves and make life better for everyone in this country.
We cannot allow the present unpleasant economic situation to weigh us down so low that we are unable to recover from the crisis. It is an economic crisis that is hitting us hard, such that sometimes we wonder whether the world is really coming to an end.
Food prices are unbearable, and when we find such foods, it becomes difficult to get enough money to purchase them. People are also complaining about transportation fares and many other items that are sold on the market, claiming that prices keep changing every day beyond the control of consumers.
It is, therefore, very hard times, and it is good that the President has recognised this and made it clear that his administration is working hard and taking steps to overcome the situation and make life better for Ghanaians. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for anyone to believe that things can turn around for better economic growth in the future and also improve the welfare of people in this country.
Many Ghanaians appear to have lost hope because the situation is really tough. However, this is the time to remain firm or resolute and move away from all states of hopelessness and instead accommodate some hope that things will be better. It is better to have hope and rebuild destroyed structures than to lose hope and appear helpless to do anything good for ourselves.
In the year 1983, for example, Ghana faced a similar situation, making it very difficult for Ghanaians to believe that the future would be bright. Across the country, there were bushfires. Food crops were burnt to ashes, and all animals in the bush were killed by fire.
It was a pathetic situation at the time, but Ghanaians were able to recover and come back to enjoy their normal economic life.
One of the unpleasant things that readily comes to mind is the shortage of food in the country, as a result of which many old people had to die of hunger. The usual Ghanaian food known as Ga kenkey was bought while an effort was made to cook it.
In other words, this form of kenkey was bought in its uncooked form. During this time, if a person waited for it to be boiled or cooked before selling it, that person risked losing the sale to other customers who were willing to buy the product in its raw state.
This situation tells us how desperate Ghanaians were at the time. In fact, everything was in short supply, with the exception of air, which we could breathe freely for survival.
The situation may appear to be exaggerated because it is now too difficult to believe, but it is true, and all those who are now 50 years of age or older can remember this horrible situation if only they were living in this country.
Many of the young people in this country, 35 years old and under, did not experience this horrible situation because they were either not born or were babies at the time. It was an unbelievable situation that today’s young people, aged 20 and older, could not accept as true. Apart from food, other products were also in short supply. Things like packaged sugar, rice, cooking oils, etc. became known as “essential commodities.” These essential commodities were stored in particular centres that accommodated them and sold to the public on a rational basis. What this meant was that essential commodities had to be rationed so that as many people as possible could buy some for their families.
Fuel for vehicles was also in short supply. The only thing that existed in abundance was salt. God also made air available without charge to the public. What to wear was unconsidered because a man had to consider what to eat and survive before considering anything else. Those of us who were not alive at the time would find it difficult to believe this situation.
Having gone through all this terrible situation, Ghanaians did not die but continued to live to rebuild the economy. Many of the people who were young at the time are now old, apart from those who are dead and gone.
Compared with today, we can say that the situation now, though difficult, is far better than that of 1983, which also saw many Ghanaians being deported from neighbouring countries, particularly Nigeria, where many Ghanaians had gone to seek rescue for a better life. It was not easy at all for this country.
First of all, food is not in short supply today. The problem, however, is that their prices keep rising, making it difficult for people to plan their budgets for their households.
Secondly, no Ghanaians have been deported to add to the numbers of people in the country who are already hungry. Again, fuel is available, except that the price keeps rising.
Against this background, therefore, it is clear that the economic situation today, though not the best, is far better than what was experienced by Ghanaians in 1983. Things improved after 1983, beginning in 1985. It is, therefore, clear that the present situation can also be overcome and that we do not need to fight against one another and insult one another as we try to find solutions to the economic problems confronting us.
The President of the Republic has pointed out that we should rally behind him to overcome the problems so that life can be made better for every Ghanaian. In his own words, “This too shall pass.”
Ghanaians must remain united to overcome the current economic challenges so that no one can bring disunity among us and tear the country apart. The Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and everyone else should work together to ensure that this problem is resolved quickly, after appropriate economic growth strategies are implemented.
Let us remain united to overcome this economic turmoil that is confronting this dear nation of ours.
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com
(0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
