An event which sought to create awareness and to promote the variety, preparation, consumption and health benefits of traditional and some extinct local foods has been held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The KNUST Food Festival and Conference was held by the Department of Food Science and Technology in collaboration with the College of Humanities and Sciences (CoHSS) on the theme: “Combating Food Fraud and Promoting Traditional Foods.”
The event was also aimed at sensitising industry and consumers on food fraud and to discuss with stakeholders the best and pragmatic steps to effectively eradicate food fraud among others.
Opening the event, Reverend Professor Charles Ansah, Pro Vice-Chancellor, stated that the event is to celebrate Ghana’s food heritage/culture, African, foreign and new food products developed. According to him, it will also serve as a platform to educate the public on the basic sciences behind food preparation and food safety as well as nutrition and health benefits.
Rev. Professor Ansah noted that it is becoming clear worldwide that the sustenance of culture is based on what a society want to preserve and promote in the midst of globalisation. Through demonstrations, the general public would be educated on adding value to indigenous foods in terms of convenience and diversity.
Rev. Professor Ansah lauded the efforts of the Department of Food Science for including local restaurant operators in the event. He hoped it will help them appreciate and adopt health and sanitation standards in their operations.
In conclusion, he encouraged the Department to disseminate scientific facts and research findings and benefits of local foods.
In her presentation, Mrs. Nora Narkie Terlabie, Regional Head of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) cautioned the general public on the prevalence of food fraud on the market. She continued that it is an offence punishable under the laws of the republic of Ghana to adulterate food. Ms. Terlabie encouraged the public to report perpetrators of such acts to her outfit to promote the health and safety of all.
In a related development, the event saw the display of various traditional dishes as well as processed and packaged foods and products from the College of Science and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. There were exhibitions from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research among other local agro based industries.
