A dietician has angered Ghanaians for remarks deemed derogatory about their preferred seasoning, known as “momoni” locally.
In a recent interview with state-owned GTV, the dietician Forzia Baidoo claimed that “momoni,” a salty, putrid, and fermented fish, and its variants like “kako” and “kobi,” have no nutritional value.
Furthermore, the Accra-based dietician at Meridian Medical Centre urged Ghanaians to stop eating these disgusting treats because they can lead to kidney problems.
“They are all high in salt, so when you are consuming them, try to consume them in minimal amounts. They add flavour to the food but they do not add any nutrition to the food. They are dangerous flavours and cause a lot of harm to the kidney,” she said.
Since the dietician’s remarks were broadcast on the government-run GTV on March 23, 2023, many Ghanaians have taken to social media to criticize him or her, some of them very harshly.
Some have referred to Forzia Baidoo as brainwashed, and others who assert to understand the science of cooking have called her a con artist.
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Many Ghanaians interpret the remarks as a criticism of regional foods that have long been a part of custom.
Following are some responses gathered from InsightNewsgh.com on social media posts.
Kojo Akoto Boateng thought the dietician’s remarks were complete balderdash and stated as much on Facebook; “Nsɛmfoo sei”
Richard Pakorich Pokoo believed that some people simply hate “momoni” and “kako” without cause; “The hate for Kako and Momoni is huge. How can you tell we the people of Mankessim this story”.
The dietician’s priorities, in Juliana Yorke’s opinion, are out of place; “People don’t have work to do eehhh. Boi, this too be issue.”
Dela Arthur-Mensah asserted that “momoni’s” flavor enhances food more than its nutritional value; “But who told u we dnt know??? Na ebi flavour we Dey search no be nutritional value!!!”
If the favorite local food seasoning has no nutritional value, Samuel Duncan said he couldn’t care less; “Na who said we care abt any nutritional value. Take your nutrients and give us the scent kɛkɛ, we’re okay…”
What is the place of “Momoni” in Ghana?
Nutritionists claim that “momoni” is Ghana’s take on the Swedish food “surstromming,” which is also known by the Korean and Japanese names “hongeohoe” and “Kusaya,” respectively.
The “momoni” from Ghana, according to one dietician, isn’t quite as repulsive as the three from Sweden, Korea, and Japan.
In Akan, the fish is referred to as “Momoni,” but it goes by other names among other ethnic groups and local languages.
