Traditional cooks say one of the Ghana’s staple foods, Kokonte, is medicinal but appears to have been neglected.
However, for the chief and people of Akwamu Adumasa in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, such food would be celebrated every Easter.
Our reporter Kweku Antwi-Otoo observed a huge patronage of this year’s Kokonte Festival at Akwamu Adumasa.
The cooks say Kokonte can cure any stomach illness when one continues to eat it on daily basis.
Made from cassava dough, the staple is prepared and normally eaten with okro, groundnut and palm nut soup.
Some people in Kroboland and Akwamu even enjoy Kokonte with ground pepper.
The Kokonte Festival at Akwamu Adumasa brought together hundreds including chiefs from other parts of the Eastern Region.
The chief of Adumasa, ‘Oyiakekyire’ Nana Ansah Kwao IV, explaining the reasons behind the festival, said Ghana is preaching the patronage of Made in Ghana so he and his people thought it wise to celebrate Kokonte.
“Kokonte has been given a bad press for years so I decided to make it unique for my people and all those who want to enjoy it and also promote the patronage of made in Ghana foods,” he explained in Twi.
The Aburihene, who is also the Adontehene of Akuapem, Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, also added that Kokonte is medicinal.
He said such foods have been neglected but these foods are what kept forefathers healthy.
Planning Committee member Emmanuel Ofori, who is also the Assembly member for Adumasa, explained that the essence of the festival is to promote peace, unity and development.
Mr. Ofori promised that subsequent events would be massive to enable more people to patronize the festival.
