By Naa Shormei Odonkor
Kumasi, Sept. 1, GNA – The Ashanti Regional Centre for Arts and Culture (CNC) has organised a food bazaar to showcase indigenous Asante foods, which are known to the people, but often not cooked and eaten by many in the region.
The food bazaar is part of the Black Star Experience to promote Ghana’s culture, arts and tourism, which has been initiated by the government.
Among some of the foods exhibited were Fufu with Abunubunu soup, filled with mushrooms, bush meat, crabs, herrings, snails and others, Ogoo, Aprapransa, Akao and Akwasi Kwadwo (boiled unpeeled cocoyam and plantain).
Also, Nkontomire and garden eggs stew, garnished with pear, eggs and salted tilapia, and apotonsu (grounded pepper with a touch of okra).
These meals and others, were prepared and displayed by representatives from the Ashanti Regional CNC head office, district office and the Kumasi Central Prison.
There were beautiful displays of cultural dances from the dance group of the CNC and Jama performance from the prison officers of the Kumasi Central prisons.
Mr Peter K Marfo, Acting Ashanti Regional Director of the CNC, in an address, said aside from the government’s initiative to promote culture, arts and tourism, the National Commission on Culture had dedicated the month of August as Food month.
Hence, it was a mandate to organise the food bazaar in accordance to the Commission’s objective to promote the Ghanaian indigenous foods.
Additionally, Mr Marfo noted that, the programme was to also end the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s Arts and Craft Exhibition, which commenced in July 2025.
He encouraged the artisans to keep producing quality products with good finishing work to attract customers.
Mr Marfo advised artisans to form a strong association to be able to sweep in investors and organise workshops on marketing and branding for the members to harness their investments.
Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSP) Daisy Fremah Antwi, the Vice President of the Kumasi Central Prison Ladies’ Association, said the Ghanaian indigenous food reflected the identity of citizens.
“We can never throw away our culture in as much as we are being exposed to foreign cultures.
Our foods are nutritious and portray our identity,” she said.
Ms Antwi encouraged parents to introduce their children to the indigenous Ghanaian food since they were healthier than canned foods and other foods.
She appealed to the CNC to organise the food bazaar every quarter of the year rather than once a year to promote Ghana’s indigenous meals.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Christian Akorlie