- Food lovers in the Wa municipality are being urged to rediscover and support Ghanaian local dishes.
- The 'Upper West Pot' programme, under the 'My Food is African' banner, celebrated Ghana Month by showcasing unique local cuisines and traditional attire.
- Government agencies and private owners of local cuisines prepared indigenous Upper West region dishes, highlighting the region's rich cultural heritage.
- The event emphasized the importance of reclaiming cultural identity through local cuisines and promoting sustainable, healthy eating.
The Upper West Region is a treasure trove of Ghana's rich cultural heritage, and one of the most significant ways to experience this is through its local cuisine. In a bid to promote and preserve this cultural identity, the Ghana Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Center for National Culture and the Center for Indigenous Knowledge, organized the 'Upper West Pot' programme. This initiative, under the banner 'My Food is African', aimed to celebrate Ghana Month by showcasing the unique local cuisines and traditional attire of the Upper West Region.
The programme brought together government agencies and private owners of local cuisines to prepare indigenous Upper West region dishes. The agencies involved included the Ghana Revenue Authority, VRA/NEDCo, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Health Service, Regional Environmental Health Service, Center for National Culture, Food and Agric Department, Ghana Prison Service, and the Ghana National Fire Service. Private owners of local cuisines, such as Chaana Foods Limited and Marat Foods Limited, also participated in the programme.
A Message from the Ghana Tourism Authority
Speaking on the theme 'Upper West Pot: Our Deepest Pride, Our Greatest Heritage', Upper West Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Kwasi-Enim Larbi, noted that the initiative is more than a campaign or slogan, but a movement to reclaim the cultural identity of the Upper West Region through its local cuisines. 'We are intentionally marketing the Upper West region to Ghana and the world at large,' he stated.
Embracing Local Foods
Chief Director at the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Hajia Fati Issaaka Koray, speaking on behalf of the Upper West Regional Minister, emphasized the importance of local foods in a rapidly changing world. 'Our traditional food is our way of life that is deeply sustainable, healthy and uniquely ours,' she asserted. The programme aimed to show the youth that their culture is not outdated and that local foods are a vital part of their heritage.
Upper West Regional Director of the Center for National Culture, Patience Beyuo, underscored the importance of local foods, urging the people to fully embrace them. 'Local foods are a reflection of our cultural identity and are essential to our well-being,' she stated.
A Decolonizing Movement
Deputy Executive Director of CIKOD, Daniel Banuoko, stated that the 'My Food is African' campaign is not only about reclaiming their identity but also to advance the journey of decolonizing food systems. 'We aim to promote local foods as a means of decolonizing our food systems and reclaiming our cultural identity,' he said.
Conclusion
The 'Upper West Pot' programme was a resounding success, with participants moving from their comfortable chairs to taste the various cuisines prepared. The event highlighted the importance of local foods in promoting cultural identity and sustainability. As Ghana celebrates Ghana Month, it is essential to recognize the significance of local cuisines in preserving our cultural heritage.
What This Means
The 'Upper West Pot' programme is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Upper West Region. It emphasizes the importance of local foods in promoting cultural identity and sustainability. As a nation, we must recognize the significance of local cuisines in preserving our cultural heritage and work towards promoting them. This will not only preserve our cultural identity but also contribute to the development of our local food systems.
In conclusion, the 'Upper West Pot' programme is a step in the right direction towards promoting local foods and preserving our cultural heritage. It is essential that we continue to support and promote local cuisines to reclaim our cultural identity and promote sustainability.
