Ghana’s rich cultural heritage took centre stage at the National Theatre in Accra as stakeholders in tourism, culture, and the creative arts gathered to celebrate Cultural Week with the flagship event, “Taste 69 @ 69.” The programme formed part of activities commemorating Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary while promoting the country’s cultural and culinary identity.
The event was organised by the Ghana Cultural Forum in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. It brought together chief executives and directors from agencies within the ministry, highlighting a united effort to strengthen Ghana’s tourism and creative ecosystem. The celebration was held under the theme “Resetting Ghana’s Tourism, Culture and Creative Ecosystem.”
A key highlight of the celebration was the Taste 69 @ 69 food exhibition, which showcased 69 indigenous Ghanaian dishes in honour of Ghana’s 69th year of independence. The initiative aimed to demonstrate the diversity of Ghanaian cuisine and its potential to promote domestic tourism while reinforcing national pride and cultural identity.
To add excitement to the event, a celebrity cooking competition was organised featuring well-known Ghanaian personalities who prepared local meals using largely Made-in-Ghana ingredients. Contestants were assessed based on taste, creativity, presentation, ingredients used, and preparation time. At the end of the competition, Kumawood actor Mr Beautiful emerged as the winner with an innovative coconut-based oil-fried rice dish. Actress Gloria Sarfo placed first runner-up, while Roselyn Ngissah finished second.
The colourful event attracted a large audience and featured cultural performances, traditional music, and exhibitions. Tourism Minister Dzifa Abla Gomashie emphasised that Cultural Week remains an important platform for preserving Ghana’s heritage while positioning culture and cuisine as key drivers of tourism development and economic growth.
by Tanko A. Ibrahim
Source: Ghana Travel (ghana.travel)
