Department of Home Economics Promote Indigenous Dishes

The African proverb that says “your food is supposed to be your medicine and your medicine is supposed to be your food” was truly exhibited by the Department of Home Economics as a food exhibition dubbed “Food Exhibition and Promotion of Endangered Ghanaian Dishes” organised on 16th November, 2016 at the North Campus to showcase the traditional Ghanaian dishes from all the ten regions of Ghana.

The Deputy Registrar in charge of the Division of Publications and Communication, Mr. Steve van Kamassah, who represented the Registrar, Dr. C. Y. Akwaa-Mensah, commended the department for organising the exhibition. He urged the department to involve all stakeholders whose assistance may be required in the branding and packaging of the indigenous foods. He made a clarion call on industry, graphic designers and marketers to be actively involved in the process of preserving the indigenous foods. He stated that students should be creative by coming out with laudable ideas and translate those ideas into practice through innovation.

The Ag. Head of Department of Home Economics, Ms. Kutum Comfort Madah, welcoming the audience to the exhibition said home economists should uphold the view of improving the quality of lives of individuals and families and should be concerned that people would have access to good food and adequate nutrition. “The idea behind this exhibition is to prevent our ancestral dishes some of which are rich, cheap and nutritious from being forgotten” she added. She also entreated the nation as a whole to explore internal resources to feed ourselves well and adequately.

Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Ghana Home Economics Association, also a lecturer at the Department of Business Administration at Ashesi University College, Dr. Enyonam C. Kudonoo expressed her fear of the traditional foods dying out as our culture is being left behind as we grow. She noted that “My wish will be completed if these recipes are not left on the shelves as usual to gather dust but well written with illustrations and edited, and published for use in schools” She applauded the department for drawing out a course of such caliber to prevent our traditional foods from diminishing and also encourage them to set the pace and present a better recipe book for schools and colleges.

A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Art Education, Dr. Mrs. Edinam Kakra Avoke in a short speech expressed her delight to be part of the exhibition and commended the department for exploring the country’s indigenous dishes and entreated students present to take keen interest in learning how to cook our indigenous dishes.

Other dignitaries present at the exhibition were Queen Mothers, Directors, Deans and Heads of Department, Deputy Registrars, Students and Pupils from selected JHS and SHS in Winneba.

Also present was a delegation from the University College Capital (Copenhagen - Denmark).

Source: Media Relations