The Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly (ONMA) has organized its first ever food bazaar Dubbed “Kpataashie” (Ga for Kitchen). The event, set to highlight the need to consume indigenous Ghanaian foods, brought together over twenty market women from various markets in the Municipality in a cooking contest. In an address, the Municipal Chief Executive Honourable Boye Laryea stressed the need for Ghanaians to consume locally made foods indicating that such meals prolong the lifespan of Ghanaians. Other speakers including the special guest of honor, Mrs. Edith Kyeremanteng, the Headmistress of the Achimota Basic School and Cecelia Ofori-Asante, the Municipal Budget Analyst both stated that some diseases which where unGhanaian has found its way into the Ghanaian society because of the craving for foreign foods. Mrs. Kyeremanteng said regular eating of these foods have a lot of health benefits because they are nutritious and they do not contain most of the additives which turn to harm us medically. Madam Georgia Akambasi, Head of the Culture and Tourism Unit said the event was to contribute to the economic development, preserving and promoting our culture. She said the event among other things is expected to help preserve Ghana’s culture through our local dishes in the community and the society at large. “As a people let us be proud of our local foods, learn how to prepare them well, set up food joints where only local foods are served to promote our foods and culture within our communities” Mentioning particularly noodles and fried rice foods that has flooded most Ghanaian eateries, the speakers were sure such foods take a toll on the health of Ghanaians. The event organized under the auspices of the Culture and Tourism Unit of the Assembly also featured a health screening exercise with health officials from the Achimota Hospital. Participants were screened for malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis among others diseases. Present at the ceremony were Chiefs, staff of the Assembly, Market women from the Akweteyman market, Nii Boiman Market, Abeka Market among others.
