Dear Fante Dokono Wura,
There is no doubt Fante kenkey is one of the most patronized foods around the world especially at places where Ghanaians can be located but for some time now, it seems we pay for the leaves rather than the kenkey itself. It is on this note that I write to express my grief over the turn of events. I guess I am not the only person who wishes to express grievance to you but Ghanaians all over the world.
We are very aware of the hardship this economy is causing us especially the general increase in food prices. But then, what does it change when you give us more packaging than content? We want to believe you get the leaves for free. It would surprise you to know that your cruelty even made the late President Atta Mills buy Ga kenkey. Why did he? He is a man of truth and he didn’t want to get home disappointed if he bought Fante kenkey. It is true he believes in ‘Adze wo fie aa, oye ‘ and ‘Dzi wo fie asem’ but his hometown kenkey was nothing to write home about hence he had to purchase Ga kenkey.
I am Ga, no two ways about that, but I love Fante kenkey just as a kid loves the mother’s breast. Fante kenkey is a multi-purpose kenkey as it plays a crucial role in the life of many Ghanaians. Talk of the famous Ice Kenkey, every Ghanaian irrespective of the social status loves it. Talk of food garnishing and Fante kenkey has got a pedigree in it so the chef cuts it into slices and gives to the Europeans to make it easier and attractive to eat. In fact, talk of Ga kenkey and Aboloo, Fante kenkey is the sweetest and swagged of them all. But my biggest heartbreak is the size of the kenkey…………….Gosh!!!!!!!! For Christ sake when we buy, we ask for kenkey not the leaves you cover the kenkey with.
I felt so hungry after lectures and decided to patronise fante kenkey on my way to the hall. The hierarchical arrangement of the kenkey and their sizes tempted me, not to talk of the 50 pesewas price tag attached to it. Thinking I was in Cape Coast, the land of Fante kenkey, I knew I was going to get it big like it appeared so I bought two of them with a smile on my face. I got to my room and began unwrapping the kenkey like a groom undressing his bride during a honeymoon. For 5 minutes, I kept unwrapping the leaves. Lo and behold there was the kenkey, about the size of a fist in a boxing glove. It was also equivalent to a zygote. Immediately, I lost appetite but had no option than to eat in sorrow. Dokono Wura, please I asked to buy kenkey, not kenkey leaves. You did not even give me the pepper for free like the Ga woman does. You wanted to sell that one too to me. Like seriously???? Who does that? Had it not been for the bag I carried, I’m sure you would have sold the polythene bag to me.
Times are hard, and you are not the only one facing the hardship. Go to the Ga kenkey seller and learn from her ways. Be honest with us and let us see the real sizes of the kenkey. We don’t use the leaves for anything, not even the goat would chew it. We would love to buy more of your kenkey, but only if you would increase the size of the kenkey and reduce the leaves. Ghanaians all over the world are pleading with you. Just increase the size and increase the price, we would still buy.
We shall soon go on the streets if you still continue with this unscrupulous act of yours. From the politician to the foot soldier, from the professor to the illiterate, from the king to the servant, from the rich to the pauper, we shall all in unison cry #IncreaseFanteKenkey.
