The Member of Parliament (MP) for the La Dade-Kotopon Constituency, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has called on elders in La to train the youth in the preparation of indigenous Ga-Dangme Cuisines.
This, she said would enable the indigenes and future generation to preserve and prevent the traditional food from going extinct.
“We are losing most traditional food such as Aboboi and Tatale, ngbedaa, Aboloo and fish, Asana and others to indomie, fried rice, pizza and the rest because the younger once are refusing to learn the actual preparation of the traditional food.” Ms Sowah lamented.
The MP made the call at the Third Nye Awo Kpakpa La Homowo Kpokpoi cooking competition held on Saturday at the La Mandjrano as part of the Homowo celebrations in La.
Ms Sowah who also doubles as the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Cultural and Religious Affairs, recounted her challenge of cooking the Kpokpoi after the death of her mother, vowed to ensure that with the support from the elders, the young once would develop the interest in cooking the traditional delicacy.
The MP said, she then approached the Homowo Planning Committee to allow her organise a cooking competition of the traditional meal to sustain its socio-culture significant of the festival.
Ms Sowah said that the exercise has been successfully sustained for the past three years due to the socio-cultural significance of the celebration.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Member of Parliament (MP), for Ketu South Constituency, Mrs Abla Dzifa Gomashie, commended the MP for initiating an event which served as a platform for the younger ones to learn from, while serving as a catalyst to upholding the tradition and cultural identity of the Ga-Dangme.
“The tradition of any group of people can best be identified in their way of dressing, their food and other unique practices and without these attributes their heritage will suffer.” she said.
Mrs Gomashie said her Ministry was ready to partner and support all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to promote their district or community’s unique cultural identity in terms of food, cloth, artifacts, dance and others to the world.
Nmati Clan emerged winners, with Kowe and Abese securing the second and third positions respectively.
Other participating clans were Dzrasee, Abafum, Sanshi, Lenshie and Klanaa.
According to them, they strictly adhered to the competition rules by using only locally made items and ingredients in the cooking and that led to their victory.
The overall winner took home GH¢10,000.00 with the MP adding GH¢ 500.00 and a coupon to La Beach Hotel, giant silver bowls, five cloths and Binatone products to the prize.
The other participants also had GH¢ 500.00, giant rubber buckets, five cloths and Binatone products.
In appreciation, Team Nmati thanked Ms Sowah for exposing their rich culture to the world and called for its sustainability.
BY VICTOR A. BUXTON
🔗 Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
