Mr Abubakari Iddrisu Saeed, Northern Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, has emphasised the need for restaurants and chop bars across the country to prioritise traditional cuisines on their menus to popularise the consumption of nutritious local meals.
He said promoting traditional dishes was essential for preserving Ghanaian culture and showcasing the country’s rich tourism potential, which could lead to job creation and business opportunities, especially for the youth.
He made the call at the third edition of the Traditional Food Exhibition, held in Tamale as part of activities to mark this year’s Ghana Month celebration.
The event, themed “Display Your Cooking Pot”, was organised by the Centre for National Culture with support from Nkulenu Industries Limited and Tasty Tom.
The exhibition provided a platform for various groups to compete in cooking local dishes, allowing them to showcase their culinary skills while encouraging members of the public to embrace Ghanaian meals.
Mr Saeed said, “We are gathered here to honour our rich and time-tested cultural heritage through one of its most essential elements — our traditional foods.”
He added, “Food is not just sustenance; it reflects who we are, where we come from, and the values we uphold. The dishes prepared and displayed here tell the stories of our ancestors, our communities, and the traditions that have shaped our identity.”
He urged the citizenry to embrace the diversity of local cuisines, engage in meaningful conversations about culture, and remain committed to preserving and promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage for future generations.
Six groups representing different ethnic backgrounds participated in the cooking competition.
They prepared dishes such as rice balls, tubani, local snacks, drinks, jollof rice, amongst others — each showcasing the richness of their cultural backgrounds.
Mr Alhassan Abdul-Waris, a judge for the event, commended all participants for their exceptional culinary skills and encouraged them to keep improving.
Madam Susanna Sampana, Northern Regional Activation Representative of Tasty Tom, also urged members of the public to embrace traditional Ghanaian dishes to improve their overall well-being.
Participants expressed gratitude to the Centre for National Culture and its partners for providing the platform, which encouraged the cooking and consumption of local meals.
