A typical Ghanaian meal at a local Ghanaian family
Thinking about Ghana, many things come to mind: crowded streets, women in colorful garments, markets with fruits, vegetables and clothes, music and smiling faces. Just a dazzling street life and positive energy everywhere despite poverty, simple living conditions and rough circumstances. But what is the real life like in Ghana? How does a Ghanaian family live? What do they eat at home?
Henk and Joa, a Dutch couple living in Accra, Ghana, can give us an impression. They went to Ada to visit Gertrud, a single mother with four children. They met not only the mother, but also three of her children for a meal together outside of their house. Gertrud made some delicious and authentic Ghanaian food, which often consists of many different smaller dishes. In this case it was cooked yam with plantain and two different stews: garden egg stew and egg stew with little fishes inside. Yum!
Like most Ghanaian people, they ate without cutlery – just with their hands. This might be new for Western visitors, but you get used to it quickly. Before the meal began, Gertrud brought out some water and soap, so everyone could wash their hands. This is very important in cultures where everyone eats with their hands – hygiene is priority number 1 when sharing foods and eating with your hands. After the meal was finished, the water was brought out again and everyone could clean themselves up.
Meeting new people is always an adventure.
As many people in Ghana, Gertrud speaks a little English. This makes it easier for guests to have a conversation, but there are so many ways to make yourself understood. It’s always handy to know some essential words in the local language(s) such as in Twi or Dagbani, but one can also talk with one’s hands and communicate with gestures to bring a point across. So, don’t be scared to get in contact with locals, because you think it might get awkward or you can’t understand each other. See it as a challenge to find new ways to communicate, it’s so much fun. Meeting new people is always an adventure, but to see how local families live and eat and being invited to share their culture with them in their own home is so special and maybe the most interesting about travelling to new places.
Directly support a local family by sharing a meal. Check all places, famillies, and food in the free ResiRest app. See you soon in Ghana!
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