Today’s post is 1100 words, 35 photos, a 5 minute read. Enjoy!

Hi everyone,

Welcome back to the third installment from my continuing series on Ghana, West Africa. If you missed the first two, click here and here.

This week I’ll take you to a gari (also spelled garri) production site, a cocoa research facility, a plant medicine operation, and an evening of cooking with Etheldreda. There will be plenty of photos and words. Let’s get started.

Gari

One of our many experiences in the Koforidua area was a stop at gari production facility. Gari is a starchy flour made from the root of the cassava, mixed with coconut, dried, and sold in packages to those preparing food for families and restaurants. Cassava is widely grown in Ghana and used in many types of foods. The large root is rich in fiber and contains many essential nutrients.

The open air facility that we stopped at was along a rural road. Papa , our local guide (introduced in an earlier post), after a bit of negotiation with the lead worker, led us to where one man and several women were processing gari. This facility received funds to make improvements in worker health and safety. Instead of processing the gari over open wood fires where workers had to inhale smoke, brick fire places with chimneys were created to divert the smoke away from the workers. Now workers (primarily women) were able to process gari in a mostly smoke free environment and the pans were higher so workers didn’t have to bend over as much thus limiting back problems.

The first step in the process is preparing the cassava. At this facility, a couple of women, with their young kids playing near by or helping their mothers, used a machete type knife to remove the outside layer of the root. It was hard and laborious work but for these women it was a way to support their families.

After the cassava roots are cut into smaller pieces, it is ground using a grinder powered by a small gas engine. The only man in sight ran this machine. The result is a goopy bowl of ground cassava. 

The next step is to fill large porous bags and allowed to ferment for a period of time. Then the bags are placed in a press to squeeze out the excess moisture that is collected and used as a high quality starch.

When the semi-dry material is removed from the bags, lumps are removed by putting them through a sieve. At this facility, it’s done by hand.

This is the point where dried coconut is added by thorough mixing.

The final processing step is to toast the mixture over a large stainless steel surface while stirring constantly. Note the brick chimney taking the smoke away from the worker.

The result is this product that is used in the preparation of many popular dishes.

While we weren’t at the facility very long, I learned how hard people have to work to make a living.

Cocoa Research

During our travels, we made a stop at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. About 70% of the world’s cocoa production is in West Africa with Côte d’Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast) and Ghana as the first and second producers of cocoa beans.

One of the senior scientists gave a brief presentation on the products made from cocoa in addition to chocolate. He took us to their production facility as well as to the groves of cocoa trees. It was an interesting and educational look at a crop that produces a product most of us take for granted.

At the end of the program, we needed to visit the washroom before boarding the bus. Since I was the only male in our group, I was in and out while the women were lined up waiting their turn. This was a common site during our two weeks in Ghana.

Plant Medicine Research

While in the Koforidua area, we visited the Centre for Plant Medicine Research. This organization was established by the government of Ghana in 1975 inspired by the work of an allopathic physician, Oku Amp0fo. At this large facility, they test and distribute medicines made from all types of plants. There is also a clinic that sees and treats thousands of patients every month.

One of the scientists took us to the room where plants used to make medicines around the world are cataloged and preserved for use to accurately identify plants.

We then toured the outdoor area where all types of plants are grown for research and production. In the photo, plant materials are being sun dried before being processed.

The quality lab is where plants are tested to ensure they are safe for human use and consumption. As a confirmed skeptic, I asked the scientists if the products are tested in clinical trials before prescribed to patients. My question was not directly answered which made me wonder about the efficacy of the medicines. I suspect that some are effective while others have a marginal affect. Check out what they can treat and cure in the second photo. You decide.

Before departing the facility, we lingered by the pharmacy where they were dispensing the above products to patients. I noticed this sign that offered very good advice.

Cooking with Etheldreda

One evening, we had dinner at the home of Ethel. We watched her prepare the meal in her large open air kitchen. We watched as she prepared the several course meal of rice, fish, chicken, plantains, fufu, and more. Ethel has a day job as an accountant at an electrical company, catering is her side hustle. It’s common for Ghanaians to have some type of additional incoming producing business for the extra income. Someone asked Ethel what the largest event that she catered. We were surprised at the answer: she prepared food for 1000 people attending a funeral! No wonder she has this large prep facility. 

While Ethel was cooking on the stove, one of her helpers was pounding the cassava into fufu that eaten with broth like soups. Fufu is often eaten with hands, breaking off a chunk of fufu then dipping it into the thick soup or sauce. I tried it for the first time and determined it’s an acquired taste.

Below is a photo of the dishes prepared by Ethel. We feasted until we were “Thanksgiving” stuffed. It was a delightful evening with Ethel, an entertaining and interesting person.

That does it for this week. Next week I’ll take you to a lake, waterfall, and a school.

Until then, happy travels!

Tom

PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all have plunked down your hard earned dollars and read the book. TM