Lydia Forson questions Ghana’s growing use of foreign names for local foods and traditions

Ghanaian actress and filmmaker Lydia Forson has sparked a fresh conversation about cultural identity after questioning the growing tendency among Ghanaians to replace local names and expressions with terms associated with other countries. Her comments have drawn attention to how language, food and everyday cultural practices can shape national identity.

Forson raised the issue in a social-media discussion in which she pointed to examples involving familiar Ghanaian foods and fabrics. She specifically mentioned the use of “puff puff” for bofrot and “Ankara” for ntoma, arguing that seemingly small changes in everyday language can gradually influence how people understand and describe their own culture.

The actress said her concern was not about rejecting other cultures or preventing cultural exchange. Instead, she focused on the possibility that repeated substitution of local names could weaken the visibility of Ghanaian cultural expressions, particularly among younger generations.

Food names are especially significant because they carry information about history, community and language. Bofrot, for example, is widely recognised in Ghana as a popular fried dough snack. The use of different names for similar foods is common across West Africa, reflecting the movement of people, languages and culinary traditions between countries.

Likewise, the word ntoma is connected to Ghanaian expressions for cloth and traditional dress. Ankara is widely used across Africa to describe colourful patterned fabric associated with African fashion. The overlap demonstrates how cultural exchange can create shared vocabulary while still leaving room for communities to preserve their own terminology.

Forson’s argument is therefore less about preventing people from using alternative words and more about maintaining awareness of Ghanaian names alongside international or regional terms. Her comments have encouraged discussion about whether local terminology should remain visible even as cultural exchange continues.

The conversation comes at a time when Ghana’s creative sector is increasingly looking for ways to promote local culture internationally. Music, film, fashion, food, tourism and digital content are all being used to present Ghanaian identity to audiences around the world.

Entertainment personalities often play a major role in that process because their language and public behaviour can influence popular culture. When celebrities use local expressions, traditional names and Ghanaian languages in their work, they can help keep those forms visible to audiences who may otherwise encounter more internationally dominant terminology.

At the same time, Ghana’s cultural environment has always been shaped by interaction with neighbouring countries and the wider world. Languages and cultural practices change naturally through migration, trade, media and entertainment. The challenge raised by Forson is therefore about balance rather than complete cultural isolation.

Her comments also connect with a wider discussion about cultural confidence. Ghana has recently placed greater emphasis on creative industries, tourism and diaspora engagement, making questions about how Ghana presents itself particularly relevant.

For young Ghanaians, the debate may encourage greater curiosity about the origins of familiar words, foods, clothing and traditions. Knowing a local name does not necessarily prevent anyone from using another term, but it can help preserve historical and cultural context.

Forson’s intervention has therefore moved beyond a discussion about two food and fashion terms. It has become part of a broader conversation about language, identity and how Ghanaian culture is represented in everyday life and popular media.

Source: MyNewsGH and Lydia Forson’s public comments.