Is it possible to replace wheat in bread and imported cooking oils with locally-produced oils?

Scientists at the Kwame Nkrumah Nkrumah University of science and Technology believe cassava, for instance, can replace wheat.

They believe leveraging such innovations will reduce Ghana’s dependence on these foreign products.

Dr. Abena Achiaa Boakye of the Department of Food Science and Technology says studies conducted at the KNUST have shown promising results with replacing wheat with cassava in bread.

“In light of the on-going crises globally and also in our nation, with wheat and oils. From our studies in the department, we’ve proven that we have what it takes if not to totally take away wheat but substitute to an extent with cassava so that we can be self-sufficient,” she said.

These innovations and more will be given special attention in 2023 KNUST Food Festival.

The theme for each year thus addresses specific societal, industry and consumer needs in support of efforts aimed at transforming the Ghanaian food system for sustainable food and nutrition security: Keywords of the food fest are, Food, Culture/ Humanity, Nutrition and Sustainable Development.

The theme for this year is, “Promoting our culture and food for well-being and sustainable development” Among other things, the festival is expected to showcase innovative ways to overcome global challenges on wheat flour and vegetable oil using locally-available and indigenous food commodities.

The KNUST Food Festival was co-facilitated in 2018 by the Provosts of the Colleges of Science and Humanities and Social Science and has come to stay as an annual celebration of Ghana’s diverse Food Heritage, Culture and innovations in Food Products Development.

The festival, under the auspices of the office of the Vice-Chancellor, KNUST, seeks to educate the public on the science underpinning food preparation, nutrition and food safety, and contextualize global and national issues with food.

What to expect in KNUST Food Fest 2023

Food innovations competition for all students in Ghana's tertiary/ secondary/ vocational institutions. Challenge – innovative ways to replace wheat in popular food products/ dishes with indigenous ingredients. We have 10 shortlisted applicants from four institutions in Ghana competing.

Popular everyday dishes “gone 100% local”. The concept is to use only indigenous oils to prepare everyday dishes otherwise cooked with imported oils to show that Ghana has all it takes for sustainable food and nutrition security. We will also exhibit all indigenous oils to educate the public.

Theme dramatised – A sketch on the impact to traditional food systems as we overly depend on importations to feed the populace.

Food Bazaar, where one can sample and buy all the traditional foods or Ghanaian delicacies that one can eat.

Exposé on the traditional foods of the international community at KNUST. The International Programmes Office will lead this to showcase and celebrate the cultural diversity at KNUST

Member of the Organising committee, Dr. John-Lewis Zinia Zaukuu hints of a showcase of a technology known as the Near-Infra-red Spectroscopy which is very essential in detecting food fraud.

‘We’ll practically demonstrate the use of this technology and how it can be applied.

“Lastly, the entire University community is invited to showcase their food-related innovations. So you can never know the mind-blowing surprise awaiting you at #knustfoodfest 2023,” he said.