With about 7000 Kilometers between Ghana and Malawi, you might never be too certain, but you might just close your eyes and open them in Accra, Ghana!
Who knows? Magic or not.
Passing through 8 or 9 African countries (depending on the route you take), the route by road might just be an awesome road trip! If it’s by air, even better! Kotoka International Airport in Accra has a large Akwaaba sign just for you! Akwaaba means welcome in Twi (one of the Ghanaian Languages) and trust me; the billboard isn’t the only hospitable representation in Accra.
The people of Accra are very welcoming to foreigners; therefore you are sure to have a blast no matter where you are from. Here are 7 meals you must taste whenever you find yourself in Accra, Ghana!
The Undisputed Ghanaian Jollof Rice
With very heated arguments on social media and in real life between West African countries, the debate on whose Jollof is better is so contagious. Understandably, it is Jollof Rice! – One of the best meals to have graced the surface of the earth.
Now if you ever come to Accra, it would be a great taboo to not have this remarkably mouthwatering rice meal not grace your tongue. Too many adjectives, I know but honestly it is Jollof rice. I’m truly underselling it here guys.
Banku and Tilapia
A mix of fermented corn and cassava dough is what Banku is molded from. Originally from the southern parts of Ghana, this meal is now enjoyed everywhere in the country. Why won’t it when it is being accompanied with the most popular grilled fish in Accra – Tilapia!
Banku is not only a sight pleasing to the eye when served with pepper, onions, diced tomatoes, and tilapia, but it brings out the inner Ga Tribe man in you – It’s an Aggressive Meal.
Ghanaian food Waakye
The Waakye recipe is undoubtedly heartwarming and colorful when served with any three of its possible accompaniments. This Northern recipe from the northern parts of Ghana is a smooth union of rice and rice and can be taken with Gari (grated cassava), Talia (spaghetti), fried plantain, avocado, sliced vegetables, Shito ( black pepper) and any protein of your choice.
This meal is very popular during the morning hours of the day. It’s one of the kick starter meals to get in the streets of Accra.
Ghana food Fufu
Originating from the Ashanti and Eastern regions of Ghana, Fufu is a local delicacy that keeps Ghanaians wiping out their plates clean when served with their favorite soup and meat. Mine is Fufu and light soup with a couple of sliced up goat meat to the side of the bowl.
It is usually a weekend delight but when you are hit with the fufu crave, the day doesn’t really matter.
Kenkey
Kenkey is also meal from the tribes from the south but the beautiful things about Ghana are how every meal is everywhere no matter where it really originated from. With two types of Kenkey from two different tribes, the Ga Kenkey and the Fante Kenkey go very well with pepper and fried fish
The Plantain Magic
Ghanaians are suckers for Plantain (yeah pun intended) and it’s so evident in how much love we have for it. Here are three plantain delicacies you should try in Accra
Labone junction Kelewele, Fried Yam and Potatoes.
Kelewele and Fried Plantain
Sliced up plantain is fried and served as side dishes with many local dishes. Kelewele, on the other hand, can also be used as a side dish but it is a tad different from the regular fried plantain. It usually comes peppery and in smaller cut sizes.
Kelewele is usually sold at night in the streets of Accra and the pepper ginger and garlic it got soaked in straps you up for Accra nightlife.
Red Red
Fried plantain and beans are what Ghanaians refer to as red red. The beans is boiled and served with palm oil, gari and the soft and tastily fried plantain.
Plantain Chips
Broad and thinly sliced up plantain is fried up in either brown or golden color, depending on the state if the plantain. With a sprinkle of salt, Plantain chips are sold as a snack everywhere on the streets of Accra!
Hausa Koko
One of the best ways to start your day is by taking Koko as breakfast. Although this meal can be found in a diverse number of countries in West Africa, it greatly represents the street West African food culture boldly.
Koko is simply Millet porridge but the one that comes with the Hausa Prefix is spicy and peppery. It literally gingers up your morning.
7 delicacies, but would it be fair if I don’t add the meal usually eaten on the 7th day of the week in Accra? I guess not! So here is;
Sunday Omotuo Special
Omotuo (rice balls) is the only certified traditional food that has a set day for eating this. In all honesty, it truly tastes better on Sundays. This delicacy is a representation of how creative Ghanaians can get with myriad ways of cooking food. In this case, rice was reinvented by molding soft balls of soft grain rice and serving with an array of local soups.
I knew it was a certified Sunday meal when the then president of Ghana; John Mahama once told a tale on his regular escapades with Omotuo on Sundays as a younger man while he skipped church service. Understandably, the meal would be in so much demand after Sunday services so he had to call dibs.
Have a great stay in Accra and make sure you try at least 4 of these meals no matter how long you stay! Medaase!
Authors Profile: Manny Obeng is a Ghanaian raised writer with high hopes that his written work would serve its quota in making a world a better place, especially in Africa. With his love for creating written content, he regularly writes when he’s not working with his team – Team Exhort on job posting sites for employers
