Ghana Month: Untold Truths About The Nutritional Benefits Of ‘Aprapransa/Akplijii’ 

Oftentimes, people find it difficult to taste a meal that is not known by their tribes.

Ghana happens to be a country in which its citizens cherish and embrace foodstuff from all regions because we believe we are one people with a common identity in which the food we eat is not exceptional.

One of the local dishes in Ghana which contains more nutritional value and is often preferred by people at social events like weddings, funerals, and parties is ‘Aprapransa’ known by the Ga-Adangbe people as ‘Akplijii’.

Today’s edition of the Ghana Month Diary by The Ghana Report will focus on the untold truths about the nutritional facts of ‘Aprapransa/Akplijii’.

‘Apapransa’ as a local meal originated from the Ga-Adangbe people. It is a meal that is not commonly found overseas. The delicious meal can be eaten in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

Ingredients for preparing Apranpransa/Akplijii

For one to prepare the sumptuous Ga-Adangbe meal, you will need palm nut soup, big crabs, salmon, onions, pepper, tomatoes, garden eggs, ginger, roasted corn flour which will be mixed with the palm nut soup, a spatula, red beans, salt, and your seasoning spices.

Palm nut

Steps to prepare Aprapransa/Akplijii

To prepare this palatable meal, follow the steps below;

• Wash palm nuts and pour them into a saucepan.
• Add water and some green local peas to it and boil for about an hour.
• Check if the coat of the palm nut slips off the nut when rubbed with your fingers. (That means it’s ready).
• Pound the palm nuts, and add water and sieve by separating the chaff and nuts from the liquid after you have added water.
• Put another saucepan on the fire and add your steamed meat with its stock. Also add the tomatoes, chopped onions, tin tomatoes, ginger, and salt.
• Sieve the palm nut mixture again into the saucepan on the fire and stir.
• Leave it to cook for some time.
• Boil your garden eggs and pepper in another small saucepan.
• Blend the garden eggs, pepper, and tomatoes in a blender and sieve them into the soup on fire.
• Let it boil for a while and add your crabs and herrings.
• Allow it to boil for some more time and taste it to see if it’s ready.
• If it’s ready, remove it from the fire and set it aside.
• Put another saucepan on the fire and pour some of your palm nut soup into it. Add some crabs and herrings.
• With a wooden spoon, stir the roasted corn flour into the palm nut soup and stir consistently for some time.
• Leave it to cook for a while.
• When it’s ready, remove it from the fire and set it aside.
• Dish some into a bowl or on a plate and add some of the boiled red beans to it.

Nutritional Facts About Apranpransa

• Apranpransa/Akplijii contains more protein which builds and repairs muscles and bones in the body.
• Apranpransa contains more Vitamin E which prevents the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
• Apranpransa contains Vitamin K which boosts bone health and acts as a blood coagulant in the body.
• The roasted flour used for the food contains fiber which helps to protect the body against colon cancer.
• Apranpransa contains vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect human cells from damage and wards off diseases like cancer and heart disease as well.
• Apranpransa contains Vitamin B12 which helps to keep the body’s blood and nerve cells healthy at all times.

You can try some at home to enjoy with family to stay healthy at all times.