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Queen of the Kitchen meets King of Spices: Nana Ama McBrown and Deedew Spices take Ghanaian cuisine global
A new wave of taste and flavour is hitting Ghana’s kitchens following the ambassadorial partnership between Deedew Spices, produced and manufactured by Bloomway Industries, a food company aiming to elevate everyday meals with its tasty spice blends and celebrated screen icon, Nana Ama McBrown.
Recognizing the vast potential of the nation’s culinary space, the move seeks to not only tantalise taste buds and promote healthy living but also contribute to the country’s booming hospitality industry.
“We know Ghana boasts of an abundance of spices. But we believe everyone deserves to experience the true richness and depth of taste and flavour they offer. That’s why we use only real spice ingredients, carefully sourced and blended to create unique taste profiles that capture the essence of Ghanaian cooking,” Willam Achaempong, Resource and Optimisation [Finance] Manager of the 200-plus-employee-strong company said during a ceremony to formalise the partnership.
He added that the choice of Nana Ama McBrown as its brand ambassador was a demonstration of Deedew Spices’ understanding of the power of community. “This partnership with iconic actress Nana Ama McBrown, a household name synonymous with warmth, authenticity, and culinary expertise not only strengthens Deedew’s connection to our roots but also leverages McBrown’s extensive audience and influence to reach a wider audience and celebrate the cultural significance of food,” he added.
This comes as Ghana’s food sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.4 percent between 2024 and 2028. This surge is driven by several factors, including a growing middle class with an appetite for new flavours, a tourism industry hungry for authentic experiences, and a global fascination with African cuisine.
“Deedew Spices will capitalise on this trend by offering a convenient, tasty and flavorful way to explore the depths of Ghanaian cuisine, both at home and abroad,” Mr. Acheampong added.
On her part, Nana Ama McBrown said the strategic partnership was not a rushed one but had been years in the offing. She added that being mindful of her position and range of influence, she approached partnerships with extra caution. She was selective, ensuring collaborations aligned with her values and maintained her professional image but more importantly, consumer well-being and was confident that Deedew Spices had ticked all the right boxes.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Deedew Spices. Food is more than just sustenance; it’s a way to connect with our culture and share moments of joy with loved ones. Deedew’s dedication to using natural ingredients and capturing the true essence of Ghanaian flavors and taste resonates deeply with me,” she said, adding that emphasis will be placed on healthy eating during the campaign.
Touching on the potential impact for tourism she also said, “Imagine tourists returning home not just with souvenirs, but also with the ability to recreate authentic Ghanaian dishes in their kitchens, fueled by Deedew’s vibrant spice blends.”
Nana Ama McBrown’s association with Deedew goes beyond simply lending her name. She will be actively involved in promoting the brand through various initiatives, including social media campaigns, recipe demonstrations, and even exclusive collaborations. Patrons can expect to see the icon showcasing her culinary skills using Deedew spices, offering viewers a glimpse into her personal favorites and kitchen tips.
Deedew currently offers various distinct blends: Stew, Jollof, Curry, Noodles, and All-Purpose, available in multiple sizes to cater to individual and family needs, with a particular emphasis on commercial scale food vendors. Each blend is meticulously crafted to complement specific dishes, ensuring an explosion of flavour in every bite.
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NPP condems arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the arrest and detention of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by operatives of the National Security.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua noted that “This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment of the ongoing series of state-sponsored attacks on the media by the NDC government, in their desperate attempt to silence the media and curtail press freedom.”
According to the him, “The Party condemns in no uncertain terms this state-sponsored lawlessness and commends the many well-meaning Ghanaians who spoke loudly against this shameful conduct by the National Security. We also commend the young people and the team of lawyers who stormed the National Security Secretariat this evening to see to the release of the abducted journalist.”
“The NPP wishes to remind President Mahama and his government that the Ghana that was bequeathed to them on January 7, 2025, was a free country. It was the bastion of democracy, underpinned not only by the existence of functioning democratic institutions but also by our unflinching commitment to upholding press freedom as enshrined in Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution,” they added.
Read the full statement below
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 19, 2025
*NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY CONDEMNS THE UNLAWFUL ARREST OF VETERAN JOURNALIST, OKATAKYIE AFRIFA MENSAH BY NATIONAL SECURITY OPERATIVES*
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) condemns the unlawful arrest and detention by operatives of the National Security, of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a veteran journalist, who has been critical of the John Mahama administration.
This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment of the ongoing series of state-sponsored attacks on the media by the NDC government, in their desperate attempt to silence the media and curtail press freedom.
The Party condemns in no uncertain terms this state-sponsored lawlessness and commends the many well-meaning Ghanaians who spoke loudly against this shameful conduct by the National Security. We also commend the young people and the team of lawyers who stormed the National Security Secretariat this evening to see to the release of the abducted journalist.
The NPP wishes to remind President Mahama and his government that the Ghana that was bequeathed to them on January 7, 2025, was a free country. It was the bastion of democracy, underpinned not only by the existence of functioning democratic institutions but also by our unflinching commitment to upholding press freedom as enshrined in Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution.
In line with this commitment, the country also went through the painstaking process of repealing the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2001, a process that was spearheaded by the immediate past President, H.E Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, who was then the Attorney General of the Republic.
It is therefore completely repugnant and unacceptable for the John Mahama administration to be using State Security to intimidate political opponents as well as media personnel in a bid to silence all critical voices This, in fact, is an egregious affront to our democratic and constitutional tenets.
We call on the Ghana Journalist Association, the Media Foundation of West Africa, Civil Society Organizations, and all stakeholders to join us in demanding an immediate cessation of this tyranny and growing culture of state-sponsored attacks on the media.
Enough is enough.
…Signed…
JUSTIN KODUA FRIMPONG
GENERAL SECRETARY
News
We have built enough buffers to pay all DDEP obligations – Finance Minister Ato Forson
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured banks that the government has built sufficient financial buffers to meet all Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) obligations this year.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with over 22 Managing Directors of banks, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and restoring confidence in the financial sector.
“We do not intend to default,” Dr. Forson declared.
“All outstanding holdouts have been paid, and we have put in place the necessary buffers to ensure that every single DDEP obligation for this year will be met.”
The Minister explained that these buffers were created through fiscal discipline, strategic investment cuts, and prudent resource allocation.
As part of this approach, the government has reset goods and services expenditure to 2023 levels and is working to achieve a primary surplus of 1.5% to sustain economic stability.
He also announced plans to submit a fiscal responsibility rule to Parliament, which will set a debt ceiling that the Ministry of Finance cannot exceed.
This measure aims to prevent excessive borrowing and reinforce financial discipline.
Beyond ensuring timely DDEP payments, Dr Forson revealed that the government is taking deliberate steps to reduce reliance on the Treasury bill market.
By improving coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, the government aims to stabilize interest rates and ease liquidity pressures on the banking sector.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
