Greater Accra
Sankofa project
Field report
Greater Accra · Ada
Ada clams, on the plate
Our first modern recipes with the Ada clam, step one of the plan below.
We have started with the Greater Accra project, and we've decided to focus on Ada rural community.
Ada is an indigenous space where clams are harvested, processed, and sold to food hawkers.
This project has been eye-opening for my team and me. The effort that goes into producing this product is huge, but consumption is slow because it isn't visible.
We're excited because this project will spotlight the Ada clam to the world, and train youth in that community to add more value to the product and start their own businesses.
During our visit, we spoke with a few food custodians. Their main request was support in the form of equipment, structure, and business development to make their work easier.
MK Sankofa will look into ways to keep this heritage product alive by supporting them with what they've requested.
Observations from our first week
- 1.Too much smoke during processing
- 2.Unclean methods and unhygienic space
- 3.Equipment not up to standard & not properly washed or maintained
- 4.No structure; open space cooking with flies everywhere
All these were unhealthy conditions we observed.
We'll make a second visit in a few weeks and we hope to secure the support these food custodians need.
The next step
- 1.
Develop Modern Recipes Using the Ada Clams
We will use Ada clams to create modern, market-ready recipes that celebrate indigenous Ghanaian cuisine.
- 2.
Train Rural Youth
We will train interested youth in the Ada rural community in indigenous food preparation, food safety, and product development.
- 3.
Equip for Business
We will assist these trained youth with start-up resources to launch their own food businesses.
- 4.
Create Market Access
We will connect them to restaurants in urban centers for the outsourcing and supply of processed Ada clams and dishes.
From community to market. From culture to income.
From the field
Phase 2 · Ongoing
The Aprapransa Spotlight
Revitalizing our indigenous dishes, one region at a time.
The MK Sankofa Food Project is our commitment to go back to our roots. To find the indigenous foods that are disappearing and bring them back to the centre of our tables.
Sankofa teaches us: go back and get it. That is what we are doing.
We are doing this for all 16 regions of Ghana. And we started from Greater Accra.
Our second phase in Greater Accra is spotlighting one powerful indigenous food: Aprapransa.
Aprapransa is deeply rooted in our heritage. It is a dish created by our forefathers during hard times, using palm nuts and roasted corn flour. It is a dish of power, of healing, and of connection to our ancestors.
To make sure everyone could taste it, in August we discounted the price to just 49 cedis so that people could taste and enjoy Aprapransa without barrier.
The August launch flyer, at GH₵ 49 a plate. Today it’s GH₵ 65. The response has been incredible
1,000+people served Aprapransa since August
It has been just two months since we started in August, and we have already served over 1,000 people. Over 1,000 people have tasted and remembered Aprapransa again.
This tells us our goal is being achieved. Ghanaians want their indigenous foods. They just need the opportunity to taste it.
The impact so far
- Region covered
- Greater Accra (Phase 1 & 2 completed/ongoing)
- Foods spotlighted
- Ada Clams, Aprapransa
- People reached
- Over 1,000 people served in just 2 months for Aprapransa alone
- Movement
- Our Wednesday initiative continues, encouraging Ghanaians to eat indigenously at least once every week.
What’s next?
We have achieved our goal for Greater Accra, but this is just the beginning.
The MK Sankofa Project will continue across all 16 regions, uncovering one indigenous food at a time, telling its story, and bringing it back to our plates.
This is more than food. It is preservation. It is pride. It is the wisdom behind our food.
Join us every Wednesday in Accra and be part of the Sankofa journey.
Order Wednesday AprapransaPhase 1 · Greater Accra
Youth training and product development
We train rural youth and marginalized communities to turn indigenous dishes into food businesses and lasting livelihoods.
In Greater Accra, we start in the Ada rural community. We will train youth there to add more value to the Ada clam and start their own businesses.
10+rural youth in every first-phase region
What they learn
- Indigenous food preparation
- Food safety
- Product development
- Entrepreneurship
- Starting a business
From training to business
- 1.
Train Rural Youth
We will train interested youth in the Ada rural community in indigenous food preparation, food safety, and product development.
- 2.
Equip for Business
We will assist these trained youth with start-up resources to launch their own food businesses.
- 3.
Create Market Access
We will connect them to restaurants in urban centers for the outsourcing and supply of processed Ada clams and dishes.
From community to market. From culture to income.
Sponsor a region
Fund the training, equipment, and ingredients for rural youth in Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, or Central Region.
Sponsor a region