Features
Promoting our local dishes: The cultural cost of the ‘Continental’ diet
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
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
Time was when we had what was known as “experimental” schools. They were ran like private schools and were attended by children who were born by grace. They were regarded as special children.
It meant that some children were born by mistake and were, therefore, supposed to graduate from Zongo Primary or at best from the infamous public schools.
Experimental school kids were treated like children of God because invariably their parents were rich or pretended to be rich. Anyhow, they did not belong to the holy club of church mice.
When those kids spoke English, they did so in style and their phonetics was quite akin to that of Chris Tackie. We of the other ranks spoke differently, unmindful of grammar, punctuation and usage.
And when we happened to meet the divine kids on playgrounds, they mostly chose to play with those of similar feather. When we asked them questions in vernacular, they replied in the Queen’s language and reminded us that it was academic treason to speak vernacular. We bowed in veneration and saluted their intellectual wisdom.
As for the girls, you just couldn’t approach them. The way they would look at you from head to toe before finally snubbing you was enough to make you dodge or just run away whenever you saw them.
I had the misfortune of telling one I admired her pony-tail hair-do, and the way she looked at me compelled me to withdraw the statement instantly. Then added that it was a slip of tongue so I deserved forgiveness.
But coming to think of it, when it came to real knowledge I don’t think they were any better. They were better equipped with books, pianos and learning aids and were on the average better-placed to excel academically. But pound-for-pound some of us from the public schools were far more intelligent.
In effect, the only difference really was that while they ate oats, milk, bread and cheese for breakfast, some of us made do with bongo coffee and tea-bread or better still waakye garri a.k.a. zorzor. But in those days, public school teachers were diligent and really taught us well. These days, I don’t know what the hell is happening.
I had a brilliant Indian friend who attended an experimental school and whenever I paid him a visit, his Pop didn’t like it very much because I attended a public school. We were both in primary five but I was teaching him a few maths points he did not know although he was considered brilliant. I also taught him how to make a kite and of course how to begin a love letter.
One day his pregnant mother whom I had never seen because she was always indoors came out with an extraordinarily large belly. She kept staring at me and I smiled at her belly. I actually wanted to ask my friend what really was wrong with his mum’s belly. I had never seen one that large.
“Is Vijay your friend?” she asked me.
“Yes Mum,” I answered timidly.
“You attend Experimental?”
“No, Anglican.”
“If you are good boy, Vijay will teach you some Maths and English.”
“Yes, Mama,” I said, just short of telling her that it was the other way round and that I was tutoring Vijay on some knotty points in maths. In fact, I would add that I was even coaching Vijay on how to write love letters.
Today, those who attend the public schools have less chance of getting to the universities because they either do not learn, are not taught well because the teachers are not good, or are not encouraged to study. So, many people who can afford it want their kids to attend private schools which are today so many that no one notices them anyway.
Some of the private schools are very good though; unlike some schools in the countryside where teachers who are given awards further distinguish themselves by impregnating school girls. Double award.
Now, when there was this changeover to the present JSS system, many wondered what would be some of the private schools since government would not be equipping them to run their JSS programmes. Those proprietors who were serious took steps to equip their schools, and there was no hitch in getting their JSS shoot off.
Taking a cursory look around, one would realise, however, that many schools, government or private, are poorly equipped. With the government schools, there is the hope that they would be equipped in due course, but one cannot be sure with the private ones since some proprietors are only interested in profit and not quality tuition.
I am glad, however, to note that some private proprietors are seriously undertaking some exercises to ensure that their schools are of standard. They want profit, yes, but at the same time they want a name for their schools.
When I visited Saint Peters Missions, Nursery, Primary and JSS, I was impressed with the steps the school’s board and management are taking to improve standards. A department is being put up solely for manipulative skills.
The JSS system is meant to ensure that students cultivate manipulative skills, but resources in many schools are lacking and this has not been possible in many cases. St Peters is about a step ahead many schools.
Under the manipulative skills department is a sub-department in the pipeline known as the ‘Clothing and Textiles Department’, where basic skills in cloth fabrication and design can be learnt so that if the child does not get a chance to proceed to SSS, he or she could be absorbed in textile manufacturing and designing to improve upon skills for eventual employment or self-employment.
The school is also establishing a department similar to a multi-purpose computer centre where kids can be introduced to the computer and get acquainted with at least Word Perfect before they graduate. What about the language centre where the kids can undertake proficiency courses in English, French and the local languages? The school’s budget covers it adequately.
In an interview with the proprietor, Mr Moses Adu-Gyamfi, I learnt what the management has undergone to go this far to make the school a paragon of the ideal private JSS academy.
“For the time being,” he said, “we are forgetting all about profit. We are investing into equipping our departments adequately so that every child who passes through St Peters would have gone through that type of academic discipline that would make him fit into any school of higher learning or any suitable vocation. This is our aim.
“Secondly, we want St Peters to be the torch-bearer of the private schools. Presently we are not doing badly. But we want to be the crusaders of the ideal thing, to be forerunners of the restoration of standard and education within the educational system.
“Well, I think very few people think like this these days. Profit margins are of more concern than the provision of infrastructure and equipment to build their schools into serious institutions of learning.
“Some proprietors run their schools to get money to chase women and tiny girls, and so do not have any plans whatsoever for improving the conditions of their schools. Buildings crack and deteriorate, chairs are inadequate, equipment are lacking and yet they charge exorbitant fees.
“Such private schools better gear up to the task of doing the right thing or quit.”
This article was first published on Saturday June 1, 1996
