Ghana has emerged as the winner of the second edition of the Onga Jollof Battle – West African Edition, held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.

Representing Ghana, Gina Abbam-Baidoo, popularly known as Chef Gigi, and her assistant, Chef Michale Howard, beat culinary talents from across West Africa in a keenly contested battle centred on one of the region's most popular dishes — jollof.

The victory gives Ghana bragging rights in the second edition of the competition and adds another chapter to the country's long-running jollof rivalry with its West African neighbours.

Speaking to Joy Business after the competition, Chef Gigi said the victory was particularly satisfying after what she described as a challenging day.

“I feel so good. It hasn't been an easy day, but at least I paid, so we are happy to have won the second edition of the West African Jollof Battle, Onga Jollof Battle,” she said.

Asked whether she expected Ghana to win, Chef Gigi said the team approached the competition determined to give its best.

“We actually gave it our all, because Ghanaians were all over making a lot of noise, but as usual, Jollof impeded it. So we were like, but then it paid off, so we won,” she said.

She attributed the victory to the team's commitment and hard work throughout the competition, adding that the result made the effort worthwhile.

Chef Gigi also commended Promasidor Ghana, producers of Onga, for creating a platform for culinary talents to showcase their skills.

“We want to tell Promasidor to keep doing what they keep doing, like giving us the best needs in the country, and all the other brands,” she said.

“We say a very big thank you to Promasidor for giving us this opportunity to exhibit what we have to give to Ghanaians, and we are happy we won to make Ghana proud.”

Category Lead for Culinary at Promasidor Ghana, Fifi Intsiaba, congratulated all the contestants and praised the quality of the dishes presented during the competition.

“Congratulations to all the participants. They are national champions in their various countries. They flew in three days ago to Ghana to battle and represent their countries,” she said.

The Onga Jollof Battle is designed to celebrate West Africa's culinary heritage while providing a platform for culinary professionals to demonstrate their creativity and expertise.

Ghana's victory means Chef Gigi and Chef Michale Howard will take home the title from the second edition of the regional competition, following their successful showdown with culinary champions from across West Africa.