The second edition of the International Kenkey Festival will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Mantse Agbona, James Town in Accra. Kenkey is a staple food in different parts of the country. It is made from partially cooked fermented maize and usually eaten with pepper sauce and fried fish, soup or stew.
It is variously referred to as 'Komi’, ‘Ga kenkey’, 'amosima', 'Fante dokon' or 'fomfom' depending on where it is made.
In Accra, it is common to find kenkey ‘boutiques, parlours and villas’.
According to the festival’s Chief Organiser, Mr Manuel Nii Martey Mensah, there would be Ga, Fante, Northern and Volta brands of kenkey on display and for sale at the event.
“The festival’s aim is to promote one of Ghana’s commonest local foods to the international market. We want to help encourage the patronage of Ghanaian foods, which will in turn help in the advancement of agriculture and general food production in the country,” Mr Mensah said.
The day would see the crowning of a Kenkey King and Queen, serving of free ‘mashke’ (mashed kenkey) and performances by musicians, spoken word artistes and poets to keep patrons entertained during the festival.
“We want people to come around and relax, eat together and network,” he stated.
The organisers pointed out that they were seeking to brand kenkey as a national product recognisable anywhere across the world.
The festival, which kicks off at 10 a.m., is sponsored by Kasapreko.