Ghana month, a period to commemorate significant milestones in Ghana’s history and give people the opportunity to obtain knowledge in the country’s rich culture, accentuate some of the most interesting stories, origins and ancestral traits of food, music, dance, arts and craft in Ghana’s cultural heritage, brings a sense of unity and pride amongst every Ghanaian in the month of March every year.
As part of Beach Newsrooms celebration of Ghana month, we take a look at one of the most beloved dishes in Ghana, Waakye.
Waakye is the most iconic dish in Ghanaian cuisine, which holds a special place in the hearts and palates of Ghanaians across all regions.
It is a delightful combination of rice and beans, typically cooked with a blend of spices, giving it a distinctive taste and aroma.
It is often served with a variety of accompaniments like gari ,salad leaves, spaghetti, stew, egg, wele and a deliciously spicy black pepper sauce.
In Ghana, waakye is not only enjoyed as a lunch or dinner dish but also as a hearty breakfast. It is a popular choice to kick start the day with a burst of flavors and energy.
Many Ghanaians believe that starting their morning with a plate of waakye sets the tone for a productive and fulfilling day ahead.
“What else would you eat for breakfast apart from waakye? You need something that would keep you going. The hotness and sweetness of the waakye alone will keep you awake for the whole day. So for me when it comes to breakfast, waakye is the best”, one resident of Takoradi attests to the deliciousness of the meal.
Another resident also stated : “Eating waakye early in the morning is the best thing ever because the rice is hot, the beans is hot and they’ve been added together….my goodness, it is very tasty”.
The Evolution of Waakye
Although there is not a precise historical account, waakye’s origins can be traced back to the colonial era in Ghana.
Legend has it that during the colonial era in Ghana, rice was a luxury imported by the British and mainly consumed by them.
However, Ghanaians, especially those in the northern regions where rice was scarce, wanted to incorporate it into their diets.
Despite rice being expensive and not easily accessible, Ghanaians found a solution by mixing rice with locally available beans, which added flavour, texture, and nutritional value to the dish.
The beans served as a cheaper protein source, making the meal accessible to more people.
To enhance the dish further, Ghanaians cooked the rice and beans together with dried millet leaves in a pot, giving the mixture a distinct reddish-brown color and a unique aroma, while also tenderizing the beans and rice.
Over time, this innovative blend of rice and beans evolved into the beloved Ghanaian dish known as waakye.
Today, waakye is enjoyed across Ghana and is typically served with accompaniments, showcasing the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Ghanaian cuisine.
So, as we celebrate Ghana Month, let’s not forget to indulge in the deliciousness of waakye, a dish that represents our heritage and brings us closer as a community.
Whether you’re a Ghanaian or someone who appreciates good food, waakye is definitely a must-try! Happy Ghana Month.
