Connect with us

Culture

The Gambia beats Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, others to win Jollof Rice Competition

Published

on

The much talked about “Jollof Rice” war in the West African region was settled in spectacular fashion when The Gambia, against all odds, beat Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Liberia to the first position at the West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST) held in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Gambian team of cooks led by international award-winning chef, Saikou Bojang, trounced all renowned chefs from the sub-region with their indigenous recipes, artistic food displays, and preserved West African flavours in a way that gave them the trophy, while also relegating giants Nigeria and Ghana to the background, with Liberia taking the second spot.

The Gambian newspaper, The Point, which captured the epoch-making event, described it as an “incredible achievement which came in honour of Jollof Rice, a divinely loved platter whose origins can be traced back to the Senegambia region that was ruled by the Jolof, or as we know it today, the Wolof Empire in the 14th century, crawling across parts of today’s Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania where rice is religiously grown.

“The West Africa Food Festival is a competition that has been running for over five years, usually housing about 16 countries per edition, running primarily on celebrating the flavours, sounds, and sights of West Africa, bringing together people from all corners of the geographic region through their diverse traditional cuisines,” The Point wrote.

“The Gambia, back in the 2019, event also emerged victors winning the best chef and best dessert awards. The then team led by Chef Saikou Bojang and Chef Musa Darboe was welcomed home by the Minister for Tourism and Culture in a show of gratitude.

“Such a moment still ringing with pride four years later will now stand side by side with this beautiful accomplishment of The Gambia bagging a win in both the Jollof and Vegan categories.

“A contestant from Liberia, chef Aloycious, also took to social media to express his despondence in losing to Gambia in a humble bout of words and shared that it was a great experience with a great team of chefs’”, it added.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

on

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

Continue Reading

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

on

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Sports6 hours ago

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of...

Culture8 hours ago

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest...

Tech8 hours ago

20 African tech-preneurs embark on Korean innovation tour

The African Development Bank Group’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab has selected 20 promising tech entrepreneurs from various African technology ventures...

Metro8 hours ago

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change 

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a...

Metro13 hours ago

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the...

VenturesNow1 day ago

Moroccan annual inflation rises to 0.8% in November

Morocco’s statistics office has confirmed that the country’s annual inflation rate, as determined by the consumer price index, increased from...

Musings From Abroad1 day ago

Swiss company Mercuria partners Zambia’s IDC in new metals trading firm

According to a statement released by Swiss commodities trader, Mercuria, on Thursday, it has established a metals trading arm with...

Metro2 days ago

Nigerian activist remanded in prison for threatening President’s son

A Nigerian court has ordered a female activist, Olamide Thomas, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly issuing a...

Metro2 days ago

Zambian law association kicks over suspension of two members

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has kicked against the suspension of two of its council members, Arnold Kaluba, the...

Sports2 days ago

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends 2024 as fifth best team in Africa

Nigeria’s men’s football national team, the Super Eagles, ended the year 2024 as the fifth best team in Africa in...

Trending