Heritage Month Cooking Competition showcases Ghana’s culinary richness

Ghana is celebrating Heritage Month in March. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Gaming Commission of Ghana held a cooking competition. The goal was to promote indigenous Ghanaian foods.

The event attracted cooking enthusiasts eager to showcase Ghana’s culinary heritage. Emmanuel Quainoo, Acting Director of the Gaming Commission, explained the program's purpose. He said it aimed to encourage eating local foods and celebrate cultural heritage.

Contestants prepared traditional dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Quainoo mentioned plans for an inter-sector competition among all commissions under the Interior Ministry.

Five groups represented different zones: Ashanti, Northern, Southern, Western, and Volta. Judge Elizabeth Akosua Agyapong stressed cleanliness as a key requirement for cooking. It was also an important scoring criterion.

“Time management, cleanliness, and food presentation were used for scoring,” she noted. The Western Zone met most expectations but other groups performed well too.

The Western Zone won with braised rice, boiled plantain with kontomire, and garden egg stew. Group member Benedicta Andoh shared how they chose their dish by ballot.

Despite initial challenges in preparation, they succeeded in winning the competition. “I was optimistic about winning,” Andoh said confidently.

She specializes in preparing boiled plantain with kontomire and garden egg stew. “Though we faced some challenges at first, I’m glad we won,” she added.

Ghanaian cuisine is famous for its rich flavors and creativity. It uniquely brings people together through food.

Africa Zone sponsored the competition and emphasized family values in cooking. A representative stated that cooking fosters unity among families and organizations.

They viewed this competition as a chance to reinforce their values alongside the Gaming Commission. As we celebrate Heritage Month, let’s remember to preserve our cultural heritage and promote indigenous foods.