Species of Yam

There are over 600 species of yam, with the most common ones being dioscorea rotundata (white yam) and dioscorea alata, also known as yellow yam for its yellow flesh and sweet taste. Other species include dioscorea trifida (Cush-Cush yam); dioscorea bulbifera (aerial yam), which produces small tubers and aerial bulbs; dioscorea esculenta, a smaller, sweet-tasting variety; and dioscorea dumetorum (bitter yam), often used in traditional medicine due to its medicinal properties.

Uses of Yam

Yams are a versatile food source for humans and animals due to their hardiness and long shelf life. They are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Yams can be prepared in various ways such as boiling, roasting, frying, or making flour for different dishes. In addition to their culinary uses, yams have been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries to treat ailments like fever, rheumatism, and digestive issues. Culturally, yams hold great significance and are featured in many festivals and traditions symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and abundance. Moreover, yams are a crucial source of income for smallholder farmers in developing countries.

Yam-Producing Regions in Ghana

Ghana is a major producer of yams in West Africa, with several regions contributing to the country's yam production. These regions offer favourable conditions for yam cultivation, including suitable soil, climate, and adequate rainfall. Some of the main yam-producing areas in Ghana include the Brong Ahafo Region, particularly the Sunyani, Berekum, and Dormaa districts which are noted for their high-yielding yam varieties; Northern Region, in areas like Tamale, Yendi, and Gushiegu; Upper East Region, in districts such as Bolgatanga, Navrongo, and Bawku. Other yam-producing regions include the Volta Region (Ho, Hohoe, and Kpando) and the Upper West Region (Wa, Lawra, and Nandom). In the Eastern Region, areas like Koforidua, Akim Oda, and Nkawkaw also produce yams, and districts like Ejura, Mampong, and Sekyere in the Ashanti region are known for their yam cultivation.

Yam Festivals

Many people and cultures celebrate yam festivals as an integral part of the cultural heritage, celebrating the harvest season and the importance of yams in local traditions.

The Ohum festival is celebrated in September by the Akuapem people of Ghana. It features yam harvest rituals, including the harvesting of the first yams, which are then presented to the chief and elders who offer prayers and pour libation in appreciation to the gods. During the festival, there are also fertility rituals, traditional dances, and cultural exhibitions. The fertility ritual is performed to pray for land fertility and a successful harvest in the coming year.

Another Ghanaian yam festival is the Kwafie festival, celebrated among the Fantes. Kwafie is held in October, marking the yam harvest season with traditional music, dance, and food. In Nigeria, the Iwaji festival is celebrated by the Igbo people to thank the gods for a bountiful harvest. Yam Day is a celebration of Jamaican culture, music, and food, featuring yams as the main attraction. The Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea also celebrate the Yam Festival to mark the yam harvest season and showcase their unique cultural practices.

Yams are a versatile and valuable crop, providing food, income, and cultural significance to Ghana and many other communities worldwide. Aside from supplying yam for local consumption, Ghana also exports yam to other countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Europe, and America.

REFERENCE

Information from https://sahelconsult.com/yam-improvement-for-processing-yip-ghana/ and Wumbei A, Kengni Nerlus Gautier S, Kwowura Kwodaga J, et al. (2023) State of the Art of Yam Production. Advances in Root Vegetables Research. IntechOpen. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106504,