African Indigenous Food Crops: Their Roles in Combatting Chronic Diseases in Ghana
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AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FOOD CROPS: THEIR ROLES IN COMBATTING CHRONIC DISEASES IN GHANA by Suleyman Mohammed Demi A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Social Justice Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Suleyman Mohammed Demi 2014 AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FOOD CROPS: THEIR ROLES IN COMBATTING CHRONIC DISEASES IN GHANA Master of Arts 2014 Suleyman Mohammed Demi Department of Social Justice University of Toronto Abstract African Indigenous Food Crops (AIFCs) face eminent extinction due to negative perceptions about them (Voster et al., 2007a). The decline in consumption of AIFCs has been implicated in the emergence and spread of chronic diseases in Africa (Rasche et al., 2007). In view of this, the objectives of this thesis are to establish the links among food, culture and politics, to determine the consequences of changing food habits in indigenous communities in Ghana, and also to examine the potential of AIFCs to address chronic diseases in Ghana. Using the theoretical prism of Indigenous knowledge, this thesis employs the methodology of document analysis. The findings of this thesis include the presence of numerous AIFCs and food habits that could be harnessed to address chronic diseases in Ghana. The study recommends education and promotion of AIFCs in Ghana, and further studies to investigate toxic metabolites that may be hidden in uncommon AIFCs to ensure safe consumption. ii Acknowledgements I begin this section by giving gratitude to Almighty ALLAH (GOD) who blessed me with life, health and wisdom to put ones a conceived idea into writing. My gratitude also goes to my parents: Ms. Hawawu Gariba and Mr. Mohammed Abdulai Demi through whose sweat I became what I am today. You discharge your responsibilities as parents to perfection and I thank you for instilling in me discipline, courage, and respect for humanity, virtues which I always try to keep. To my siblings: Zainab, Abdul-Rahman, Zara, and Jami thank you for being there for me always. My profound gratitude goes to my supervisor Nana Prof. George. J. Sefa-Dei who is a pillar in my academic pursuit. No amount of gratitude or money can pay the impact you made in my life, the mentorship, the guidance and the general support are immeasurable. Your constructive criticisms and suggestions helped to shape this work. I would like to say a big thank you to the mother I never expected to have in Canada, Prof. Njoki Wane, my second reader. You have always been there to give me that motherly advice aside the critiques and suggestions to this thesis. My gratitude also goes to Prof: Martin Cannon, Paul Olson, Dorothy Goldin Rosenberg and Clare Wiseman under who tutelage I gained most experience used in writing this thesis. Ms. Jane Appiah of Calgary, who kept faith in me that I can make it during the difficult times I say thank you. I lost count the number of times I used your credit card to pay for my applications and other financial commitments when you hardly seen me in person. This is a kind of trust that it takes only people like you to have in others. Your reward is with your creator. Dr. Isaac Darko, I owe you a millions of iii thanks, you demonstrated that your love for humanity has no boundary and so shall the favour of God will have no boundary in your life. From the very day I arrived in Canada, the pick up from the airport, resolved my accommodation, and the general supports are marvelous. Not a single paper I wrote without passing through your critical lenses and suggestions, yet you never showed sign of fatigue. This thesis owes a lot to your contributions. Kudos to Mr. Latif Abdul-Rahman for your assistance and support which have contributed in many ways to ensure I had peaceful mind to write this thesis. I will forever be indebted to you. To Mrs. Harriet Akanmori who took personal interest to teach me how to survive in OISE and provided me with winter coats to face this challenging weather I say a big thank you. I cannot forget these important personalities: Dr. Francis Akena, Dr. Ahmed Ilmi, Dr. Paul Adjei, Kristine Pearson, Naana Oku-Ampofo (Mrs. Dei), Patricia Amoakohene, and others, your welcoming smiles, encouragement and supports strengthened me to embark on this academic journey. Thank you very much. I also thank all my friends particularly: Mr Udeani Alawattage, Marina Nakevska, Cinde Adegbesan, Shadi Afshar, Kim Penney, Philip Baiden, Kwesi Aduse Poku, Sein Kipusi, and Ximena Martinez all of University of Toronto and OISE for their support and encouragement. Finally, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all the academic and administrative staff of OISE for granting me the opportunity to study in this noble institution. I consider my delay in enrolling into OISE as God design to meet special and wonderful people like you. Thank you, “Me mamo ayekoo” naagoode‟ medaase, akpe. iv Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iii List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii List of Appendices ............................................................................................................. ix List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Problem Statement .................................................................................................... 4 1.2.1. Major Research Questions ................................................................................. 8 1.3 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................. 9 1.4 Justification ............................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Personal Location .................................................................................................... 11 1.6 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................... 18 1.7 Organization of the Study ....................................................................................... 18 1.8 Definitions and operationalization of key phrases .................................................. 19 1.8.1 African Indigenous Food Crops ....................................................................... 19 1.8.2 Chronic Diseases .............................................................................................. 20 1.8.3 Westernization of Eating Habits ....................................................................... 21 Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................... 24 Literature Review.............................................................................................................. 24 2.1 Africa and Columbian Exchange ............................................................................ 24 2.1.1 Historical Origin of Major Staples in African and Ghana ................................ 31 2.1.2 Arrival of Cassava to Africa ............................................................................. 33 2.1.3 Arrival of Maize to Africa ................................................................................ 37 2.1.4 Reception and Naming of Maize by Indigenous Africans ............................... 38 2.2 Traditional Food Ways: Key Considerations .......................................................... 42 2.3 Food, Culture, and Dietary Patterns ........................................................................ 47 v 2.4 Genesis of Changing Eating Habits ........................................................................ 52 2.4.1 Changing Food Habits in Ghana .......................................................................... 56 2.5 Chronic Disease Burden: Models, Policies and Practice ........................................ 61 2.6 Chronic Diseases and Their Risk Factors ............................................................... 65 2.7 Knowledge of Chronic Diseases and their Risk Factors in Ghana ......................... 69 2.8 Summary ................................................................................................................. 73 Chapter 3 ........................................................................................................................... 74 3.0 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 74 3.1 Detailed Description of Sources of Data ................................................................. 77 3.2 Theoretical Framework: Indigenous Knowledge, the legitimate way of knowing . 79 Chapter 4 ..........................................................................................................................