The much-anticipated 2025 “Back to Your Village” Food Festival, organised by Citi FM and Channel One TV, drew food enthusiasts from across the country as vendors and participants celebrated Ghana’s rich culinary heritage.
Held at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the festival featured a vibrant showcase of indigenous dishes and local ingredients aimed at promoting cultural pride and sustainability.
The festival’s vendors took center stage in urging Ghanaians to embrace and prioritise indigenous foods in their daily lives.
They highlighted the nutritional, cultural, and economic benefits of consuming locally sourced meals.
Pognaa Salma Chaana Abdul-Razak, Chief Executive Officer of Chaana Foods, noted that Ghanaian indigenous foods were not just delicious but tied to their identity and traditions. She emphasised that by supporting local cuisine, Ghanaians would strengthen their communities and reduce reliance on imported products.
Abdul-Razak further opined, “It is an amazing opportunity. I have been here from the first time it was a bazaar, now it’s a festival and it’s been amazing. I was a little bit late but it’s paying off. I can’t even thank Citi FM enough.
“I think that this is just a great avenue for us to showcase our indigenous meals and for me, I think that’s the way to go. Then, all about dialysis, getting sick frequently—everything will come to a stop.
“Let’s stop eating the foreign foods. Our made-in-Ghana foods are what we should focus on. Let’s have our children taste and enjoy our indigenous meals because that is all we have. It is who we are.”
Freda Afrifa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dotty Sip and Bites, applauded the organisers of the programme and expressed hope of making good sales.
“Yes (it’s a good programme) and it should (be encouraged) because it’s a very nice programme. It brings people around,” she said.
The CEO of Pork 101, Selasi Agbesi, said it was her fifth year participating and encouraged Citi FM and Channel One TV to continue the initiative.
“It’s a good thing. We started from the bazaar and now it’s a festival, and so it’s a thing. So you see other things which will help other people, especially the diasporans, enjoy our indigenous foods,” she said.
Attendees were treated to a diverse array of traditional dishes, including Tuo Zaafi, banku, and fufu accompanied by assorted soups.
The festival also provided a platform for dialogues on food security, sustainability, and the importance of preserving Ghana’s culinary heritage in an era of globalization.
Beyond the gastronomic experience, the event created opportunities for vendors to connect with consumers, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Patrons left inspired to integrate more indigenous foods into their diets, carrying forward the festival’s mission to celebrate and sustain Ghana’s rich food culture.
The 2025 “Back to Your Village” Food Festival stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional cuisine and its role in uniting Ghanaians while promoting health and local economic growth.
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Citi FM/Channel One TV’s Food Festival underway [Photos]