Day 27: M-Z

Finally here! Letters M-Z.

M is for Milo, a tasty chocolate drink that is actually available in the UK (if you look really hard). Special mention to my other new favourite brands- PEAK, Ideal and, of course, FAN MILK!

N is for Nicole O-ka-ni-sayn? (see day 9)

O is for Old MacDonald. You know, the one who owns the farm? As in, there are animals roaming around EVERYWHERE! Last week, five cows were casually crossing the road (I wish I had a photo) and yesterday a goat walked into our compound. We have Humble, the dog, who you’ve already met as well as a few chickens, a cockrel and a lizard who comes to visit every now and again…

P is for Plantain, a savoury banana which is cut into thick wedges before being boiled, baked or fried! Plantain can be cut into very thin slices and lightly salted to make plantain crisps (also available in the UK) or cut into small chunks and seasoned to make kelewele. Yum.

Q is for Quiz Night (yes, we're that cool). Our favourite game= Ludo! 

R is for RHC (Reproductive Health Centre) and all my other new friends at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. I’ll miss you!

S is for Sugar Cane. Sugar cane is magical stuff which grows in a similar way to bamboo shoots. The canes are used to make sugar as we know it more commonly in 1kg bags but the natural occurring sticks can be cut into chunks and chewed. Warning: only suitable for those with super sweet teeth!

T is for tro tro. Still scarred.

U is for Umbrellas. The rain here is always torrential and often leads to a few leaky gutters (not pleasant!) but the storm is usually over in half an hour and the sun returns soon after.

V is for Vendors. And by vendors I mean Hawkers. How I shall miss them. (see day 10)

W is for Wahala! For more lingo, see day 16!

X is for Xylophone. Oh what? I couldn’t think of anything!

Y is for “yele”, the Ga word for Yam. African yam is not to be confused with what Americans call “yams” as they’re referring to sweet potatoes (ahem, Alice!). African yams look a bit like tree stumps from the outside and their completely white inside, very starchy and not sweet at all. Actually, they’re slightly bitter. However, when boiled to perfection, yam is DELICIOUS with stew. Better still are fried yam chips. I’m addicted.

And finally,

Z is for Zongo Junction, a crazy part of town with lots of bars and restaurants and loud, crazy, always-wide-awake people. 

My kind of crowd.

Day 17: A - F

Apologies for the lateness of today's post, feeling slightly under the weather!
But I'm always prepared, so for days when I fall a little short I've compiled an A-Z of all things Ghanaian to keep you entertained.

Today, A-F.

Pounding fufu, a cassava-based ball 
 eaten with soup.

A is for AKWAABA = Twi (a Ghanaian dialect) word for "Welcome!"

B is for Banku = a ball of corndough (soaked and fermented maize) which is usually eaten with fish or okro stew. Also related to kenkey which also has a corndough base.

C is for Cousins. Aren't they just the best :)

D is for Dansoman = the area in Accra where our family home was built my Grandad (who started calling me Banku when I was a baby -because I was so so fat- and has continued to call me Banku to this day. I'm even saved as Banku on his phone. I'm convinced he doesn't know my real name...)

E is for English language since English is still the official language of Ghana

I was SO tempted to hijack this truck and drive it all the way back to the UK...

And finally, F is for Fan Ice.


I'm totally addicted.