A marketplace in Ghana is a universe of its own – vibrant, colourful with wonderful smells of spices and fresh produce. A meeting point of cultures, a marketplace is where we see the spirit of community in action. My recent visit to the now Kumasi Kejetia Market reminded me of the many bounties we possess as a nation, especially when I turned a corner and was presented with a bountiful display of fresh mushrooms.
Mushrooms in Ghana have transcended food to appear as a delicacy consumed in several homes. Its earthy, rich taste introduces distinctive elements of flavour to stews, soups, and grills. And when mushrooms are involved with rice, yam, plantain, or banku, mushrooms deliver a certain flavour experience that brings you back for more.
What is fun is how mushrooms appear with near-magical effortlessness across Ghana. You will see mushrooms springing up near tree stumps, under moist shadows of farms, at edges of forests, and sometimes even in people's backyard gardens. No one specifically grows mushrooms. It is one of the simple natural gifts that quietly beautifies our tables.
I could not help but snap some pictures of the mushrooms I encountered at the Kejetia Market. Neatly draped on trays or wrapped in local wrappers, they looked fresh and appetising. every kind showing its texture and aroma. The vendors were enthusiastic about their products, and some told me they had just harvested their mushrooms earlier that morning from farms or from the forest.
There is great natural, organic produce available across Ghana that is growing widely. Especially in a world where many of us are relying on artificially cultivated products, we continue to enjoy food produced harmoniously with nature – healthy, wholesome, and tasty.
The local marketplace and places like Kejetia remind us of how close we are to nature. The land continues to bestow its blessings upon us. Mushrooms are one of the ways the land continues to offer its gifts – with very little effort and much reward. The next time you pass through a market in Ghana, reflect on how the humble mushrooms are an opportunity to appreciate these lost treasures. You never know what you might discover.