A festival exhibiting various kinds of Ghanaian as well as other African food and beverages has taken place in Charlottesville, USA.

Some of the foods displayed during the festival were nkatse nkwan; omo tuo; kontomire; waakye; mushroom stew; pancake; episti; kelewele; fried plantain; yakayaka; banku and fried tiliapia; akple and fetri detsi; koose; aponkye nkakra; kyinikyinga; obrayo; kube cake; and hausa beer among others. The festival which was organized by the African American Cultural Arts Festival Committee was part of activities marking the Chihamba’s 22nd Annual African American Cultural Arts Festival. The cookery was sponsored by the Quality Community Council, Inc of Charlottesville.

Invited guests who thronged the J. P. Burley Middle School auditorium in Charlottesville to sample traditional African dishes could not hide their excitement for tasting such delicious and nutritious cuisine from the African kitchen. Among them was the Mayor of the City of Charlottesville, Honorable Dave Norris who used the occasion to reiterate the deepened bond of friendship between the people of Ghana and Charlottesville through sister-city relationship between Winneba in Ghana and Charlottesville. He recounted the hospitality shown by Ghanaians to members of a delegation from Charlottesville when they visited Winneba in May this year.

Earlier, Madam Karen Waters of the Quality Community Council explained that the mission of the Council is to support and improve the lives of those who live in Charlottesville irrespective of status, race or affiliation by cultivating grassroots leadership, and promoting civic engagement such as the “Taste of Ghana Festival”.

Nana Akyeampong Ghartey, a member of the African American Cultural Arts Festival Committee and also the Chairman of the Ghana Association of Charlottesville expressed his gratitude to the City of Charlottesville for supporting the construction of a library complex in Winneba.

The climax of the African American Cultural Festival took place at the Washington Park, Charlottesville with participants exhibiting African American wares and artifacts.

By Augustine Arthur, Charlottesville, USA