The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has announced the upcoming Afro Gastro Festival, to be organised by the Ministry on October 15, 2025.
She explained that the festival will celebrate Africa’s rich culinary heritage while fostering cultural exchange through food.
“This festival will allow us to learn and appreciate the rich variety of African dishes and connect through our shared culinary traditions,” she added.
Madam Gomashie said this when she joined the Member of Parliament for La Dade Kotopon, to celebrate the Homowo Festival with a vibrant Kpekple Cooking Competition aimed at preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage.
She praised the initiative, describing it as an important step toward preserving indigenous knowledge and passing it on to future generations. She emphasised the need to safeguard Ghanaian traditions, particularly language and food, as a way of maintaining a strong cultural identity.
“Culture is the soul of a people. We must make conscious efforts to pass on our language, food, and traditions to the next generation,” the minister reiterated.
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie further encouraged Ghanaians to embrace and speak their native languages regardless of educational or social status, stressing that language is the cornerstone of identity and cited International Mother Language Day as a reminder.
She also commended the collaborative spirit among parliamentarians in promoting cultural initiatives, highlighting the consistent support of the MP.
The Member of Parliament for La Dade Kotopon, Mrs. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, assured her constituents of an even bigger celebration next year.
She noted that more sponsors are expected to support the competition and pledged to involve the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts in future editions of the Kpekple Cooking Competition.
The event, held in the heart of the La community, brought together nine cooking groups who showcased their culinary skills by preparing kpekple, the traditional Ga dish central to the Homowo celebration.
All participants received cash prizes, assorted cooking utensils, and special packages from La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
