Gushegu, GHANA – Did you know that Ghana is growing a superfood? In August 2016, 2,000 women from 70 communities across the Northern Region planted 1.5 million orange-fleshed sweet potato seedlings provided to them by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Known locally as “Alaafei Wuljo”, the orange-fleshed sweet potato is a tasty, easy-to- grow yet highly nutritious crop. Today in Gushegu, the first 2016 harvest of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes will take place, kicking off two months of harvests across more than 100 acres in 17 districts in the region. It is expected that over 250 metric tons of the delicious and nutritious crop will be harvested by the communities this year.

Three of the Northern Region’s local celebrities, Maigah Mustapha (who performs as “TM”), Mariwan Alhassan (“D-Almar”) and Salma Adam (“Princess Chizzy”), composed a song entitled “Yimiana kati kou,” a Dagbani phrase meaning “Come out, Let’s Farm.” The now popular song has since been on regular rotation across Northern Region broadcast radio stations. The three artists have composed a second song about harvesting the crop and utilizing it to improve nutritional value of popular local dishes. The new song will be launched for the first time at the event. In addition, cooking demonstrations using the vegetable in local dishes as well as demonstrations in improved harvesting and storage techniques by USAID’s partner, the University for Development Studies, will take place with the participation of women farmers and Gushegu’s District Assembly representatives.

“Not only is the simple potato we are celebrating today tasty— but it is a powerful nutrient-rich tool in the quest to reduce malnutrition,” said USAID/Ghana Mission Director Andrew Karas at the event. “Today’s harvest is testament to the power of partnership,” he said.

Through Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, USAID is collaborating with Government of Ghana, University of Development Studies and the Peace Corps to promote the cultivation and consumption of “Alaafei Wuljo” in 17 districts in the Northern Region. The orange fleshed sweet potato is expected to improve the health of thousands of women and children in the Northern Region by encouraging diverse crop production. The vitamin-rich crop reduces vitamin A deficiency and anemia, both of which are precursors to serious illness and endemic to the Northern Region.

About USAID

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID supports Ghana in increasing food security, improving basic health care, enhancing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaian people.