NVTI to set standards for Ghanaian dishes

Accra, Sept 18, GNA - The National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) would soon begin a nationwide training programme for catering teachers and "chop bar" operators in the informal sector to bring Ghanaian traditional dishes to internationally acceptable standards.

Mr Stephen Amponsah, Acting Commissioner of the Standard Trade Testing and Certification of the NVTI, said the programme would aim at standardizing local dishes by identifying and refining them in order to compete favourably on the international scene. He said this on Saturday at a 10-day pilot training workshop organised for 20 catering teachers and examiners drawn from Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Volta regions.

Mr Amponsah said recent studies suggested that most local caterers have become experts in the preparation of international and continental dishes ensuring high quality standards at the expense of traditional dishes. "Let's go back to some of the items and foods we know, refine them to internationally accepted ones and within a period of five to 10 years our system shall change provided we are prepared to adapt to the changes," he said.

Mr Lynn Acquah-Freeman, Acting Director of the NVTI, underscored the role of the instructors and said the success of the skill-training programme would largely depend on them. He said occupational requirement were constantly changing therefore there was the need to evolve new ways of improving on what already seemed to be known and adapt to modern trends.