The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), is partnering the Chefs Association of Ghana to organize the maiden edition of the West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST) in Ghana.

The festival is slated for September 19 and 20 at the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC).

Other partners for the event include the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and the Tourism Society of Ghana (TOSOGHA).

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday the authority said the food festival seeks to promote the traditional food segment of tourism among chefs and traditional caterers in West Africa.

It said the festival was also to strategically project local Ghanaian dishes and the ingredients available, whilst projecting other sectors within the tourism value chain.

In addition, the festival seeks to position West Africa as a primary culinary destination for tourists.

Activities drawn up for the event include Professional Chefs Cooking Competition, Inter-school Cooking Competition and Exhibition.

Participating countries include; Ghana, Benin, Liberia, Togo, Nigeria, the Gambia, South Africa and Lesotho.

According to the release, the Chief Executive Officer of GTA, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, would be the Special Guest, and Chef Shaun Smith, the Principal of Fusion Cooking School in South Africa would be the Guest Chef.

This year's WAFFEST will end with the Chefs Associations across West Africa coming up with a working document to end food wastage and contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.