They say that food in Ghana is much more than just a meal. Rather, it is a source of pride, a way to live, and is central to the country’s identity. The diversity and richness of Ghanaian cuisine also reflect the history of the country and its intricate pattern of cultures. All cuisines are distinguished by their originality, interwoven with different tastes and different ethnicities from all over the country.
Ghanaian food is epitomised by the distribution of food crops. With the prominence of tropical produce like millet, beans, corn, plantain, cassava, and yam, most ethnic groups creatively utilise these foodstuffs to make mouth-watering dishes for their nourishment. Below are some dishes to introduce you to the scope of great Ghanaian food.
FUFU
Fufu can be made out of plantain and cassava, cocoyam or yam. It is mostly pounded together in a locally made wooden mortar using a wooden pestle and the end product is served with deliciously made soups like goat light soup, groundnut, and palm nut soup, among others, along with a variety of meat, fish, and other seafood. This food is very much enjoyed by all but majorly by the Ashantis.
BANKU
A southern mix of fermented corn and cassava dough; who can resist its charm? People love to have this with okro stew or hot ground pepper and spiced grilled tilapia (a delicacy among Ghanaians).
TUO – ZAAFI (TZ)
Similar to Banku but quite soft and less sticky, TZ is made with corn dough and very little cassava dough accompanied by nutritious and rare herbs used in the preparation of the soup. It is an absolutely wonderful dish originating from the Northern side of Ghana and enjoyed by many.
WAAKYE
One food Ghanaians creatively use rice for is Waakye. It is a combo of rice and beans and was originally a northern meal, but now it can be found everywhere on the streets of Accra and other places. The delicacy is served with sides such as spaghetti, fried plantain, eggs, gari, ‘wele’ (coat), meat, or avocado.
JOLLOF
And now, the kingpin of all rice dishes in Ghana, Jollof. This dish is one of rice prepared with tomato stew and served with meat, seafood, or chicken, which has, amazingly enough, stirred lots of interesting debates online. The rice soaks up all the juicy flavours from the stew and has a very nice colouring upon completion. It is served by almost all restaurants and street food vendors. It is an absolute national favourite.
And last but not least.
KELEWELE – THE NIGHT KING
You don’t know spicy if you haven’t had a taste of this absolute goodness! An instant favourite among anyone who tries it and most often sold as a snack all over the country. Kelewele is made of fried plantain seasoned with a variety of spices, chilli pepper, and salt. It can be served alone or with peanuts and mysteriously, it is sold mostly at night.
Food is a necessity of life and as a people, we are very particular about what we eat. Be it in the morning, afternoon or evening, there are still a plethora of dishes that express our ‘Ghanaianness’. Which one do you enjoy most? Tell us about it.