Ghana launches “The Food Bowl” committee to enter global culinary arena

Ghana has officially unveiled a 15-member committee for its maiden food sport club, “The Food Bowl”, marking the country's bold entry into the global food sport industry.

The club will spearhead Ghana’s participation in international culinary competitions, notably the prestigious World Food Championships (WFC), scheduled to take place from October 16–19, 2025, in Indianapolis, USA.

The move positions Ghana at the forefront of a burgeoning sector that merges gastronomy with competitive sport, offering chefs, home cooks, and culinary teams a passport to global recognition.

The Food Bowl will serve as a national platform to scout, train, and promote culinary talent from across the country. Ghana will debut at WFC in three major categories: Dessert, Bacon, and Sandwich.

This historic milestone signals a broader agenda to showcase Ghanaian cuisine on a global stage, deepen food diplomacy, and stimulate culinary tourism.

Steering Ghana’s Culinary Mission

The newly formed committee is chaired by Mr. Kenneth Annang, Chief Operating Officer of Kenmerdes Group and Head of Public Relations for the initiative.

The committee features a diverse blend of industry leaders and stakeholders drawn from government agencies, food and hospitality sectors, media, and sports.

Key members include:

Mrs. Mercy Y.A.A. Odoi and Mr. James Odoi Wilson (Okaikoi South Sub-Metro and NSA)

Mr. Francisco Cofie Apenu, Team Captain and CEO of Cake Elements

Dr. Francis Asare

Mrs. Fafali Azaglo (Selasi Farms & Groceries)

Chef Maame Serwaa Appiahene Gyamfi

George Addo Jnr, BBC Sports Journalist

Daniel Neequaye Kotey (Klala), Entertainment Host/Musician

Mr. Enoch Worlanyo (Prof. E.K. Wallace), Asempa FM Broadcaster and WFC Judge

Ms. Joyce Aku Menns and Alex Kobina Stonne, Media Representatives

This committee is tasked with not only organizing local qualifiers and events but also developing a sustainable framework for competitive cooking in Ghana.

Strategic Partnerships and Global Recognition

The High Frontier, a Ghana-based international sports and food tourism agency, is leading the initiative in collaboration with the World Food Championships, ranked as the third-best food festival globally.

The organization’s president, Ms. Annie Hiamey, is currently Ghana’s sole WFC-certified judge alongside Mr. Worlanyo, and is actively working toward securing Ghana’s exclusive national partnership with WFC.

This partnership would grant Ghana rights to host WFC-certified qualifiers, train judges, license culinary products, and build nationally-endorsed teams, further deepening the country’s participation in the global food sport ecosystem.

“Taking our style of food sport into other countries is one of the key growth initiatives for our mission,” said Mike McCloud, President and CEO of WFC.

“We are excited about Ghana’s commitment and look forward to the unique flavors it will bring to the global competition.”

Economic and Cultural Impact

The move is expected to significantly boost Ghana’s sports tourism and hospitality sectors.

With the potential to generate revenue, create jobs, and spotlight Ghanaian culinary heritage, stakeholders believe the initiative will become a signature event on the country’s tourism calendar.

The High Frontier’s strategy to position Ghana as a culinary destination is backed by years of experience in curating global cultural events.

By connecting chefs, brands, and fans across borders, the initiative aligns with broader national goals of capacity-building, brand positioning, and youth empowerment through creative industries.

Looking Ahead

With preparations underway, all eyes are on Team Ghana’s debut at the World Food Championships.

The participation not only marks a historic first but also sets the tone for what could become one of Ghana’s most exciting contributions to the global sporting and cultural landscape.

As Ms. Hiamey notes, “We’re not just taking food to the world—we’re building a legacy for Ghana’s culinary excellence and creative economy.”

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith