On September 6, 2024, the Unit of the Adentan Municipal Assembly’s Center For National Culture hosted a Homofest Cooking Competition to climax the celebration of the Homowo Festival in the Adentan Municipality. The event took place at the forecourt of the Adentan Municipal Assembly and it featured the preparation of Ga traditional dishes and its songs to promote culture and offered a festive atmosphere for sharing joy and fun.
The program started with a welcome address delivered by Hon. Ebenezer Doku, the Municipal Chief Executive of the Adentan Municipal Assembly. In his address, He offered a cordial welcome to everyone present and exhorted the contestants to excel in the cooking competition, while also encouraging the audience to remain fully engaged. Furthermore, he expressed his pleasure at the occasion, which has brought together the market women to commemorate the climax of Homowo in the Adentan Municipality.
The MC, Ms. Christabel Quaye took a moment to introduce the esteemed exhibitors in attendance, including Adwawa, also known as Adentan Waste Wages, and Restoration Fashion House. Adwawa is an innovative brand that crafts unique products from recycled waste materials, while Restoration Fashion House specializes in creating exquisite, handmade African print outfits, beautiful beads, and more.
Additionally, the event featured an exciting lineup of performances by emerging talents, including the highly anticipated appearances by Rana Blak and Bookz. These up-and-coming artists took to the stage to showcase their skills and entertain the audience with their unique blend of talents, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
The cooking competition was underway, with the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Ebenezer Doku, Municipal Coordinating Director, Ms. Rachel Fosua Sarpong and the panel of adjudicators for the program making their rounds to inspect the various groups. There were four teams in the contest, each presenting a range of dishes. Group one served Palm nut soup with Kpokpoi, Crab with Aprapansa, Adun-lee, and Pito. Group two offered Palm nut soup with Kpokpoi, Fried fish with Ga Kenkey and Shito, alongside Palm wine and Nkate cake. Group three presented Palm nut soup with Kpokpoi, Groundnut soup with Kokonte, Asana, and Poloo. Finally, Group four prepared Palm nut soup with Kpokpoi, Okro stew with Banku, and NmgƐdaa with Agbelikaklo.
The panel of adjudicators for the program, consisting of Ms. Joana Neequaye and Ms. Hannah Araba Acquah from Adentan Municipal Education Office (AdMEO), meticulously evaluated the participants’ performances and assigned scores based on their assessments. After a thorough review of each entry, the adjudicators shared their detailed feedback and observations regarding the competition. Their comments provided insightful reflections on the strengths and areas for improvement for each participant, offering valuable guidance for future endeavors.
Before the announcement of the winners, Mr. Eric Ohene Larbi, the Greater Accra Regional Director for the Culture National Center, took the stage to deliver an engaging speech centered around the theme of the program, “Celebrating Culture Through Homofest to Promote Domestic Tourism.” In his address, Mr. Larbi eloquently highlighted the significance of the theme and its role in enhancing cultural appreciation and boosting local tourism. He extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Head of the Culture unit, Mrs. Patricia.O. Agyeman Tufuor, for conceptualizing and organizing such a remarkable event that brought together diverse cultural expressions. Additionally, Mr. Larbi commended all the participants for their enthusiastic participation and dedication, acknowledging their contribution to the success of the program. His speech not only celebrated the achievements of the event but also underscored the importance of collective effort in fostering cultural awareness and tourism.
To wrap up the cooking competition, Adentan Market 1 and 2 clinched the first and second places, respectively, while Ogbojo Market achieved third and fourth places. The awards were presented by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Ms. Rachel Fosua-Sarpong, the Greater Accra Regional Director for the Culture National Center, Mr. Eric Ohene Larbi and Mr. Abdul Fatawu Rhaman, the Municipal Internal Auditor. The prizes for each group were kindly sponsored by Gino.
To bring the event to a high point, the Municipal Culture Officer, Mrs. Patricia.O. Agyeman Tufuor underscored the pivotal role that local Ga cuisine plays in fostering both tourism and cultural enrichment. By highlighting the unique flavors and culinary traditions of Ga meals, the Officer illustrated how these dishes not only celebrate the region’s heritage but also attract visitors, thereby strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural practices.
