Ho FM, a radio station under Class Media Group (CMG), in the Volta Regional capital, Ho, clinched the championship title in the inaugural Independence Day Cooking Competition held at the Stop Over Food Market premises. 

The event, organised by Stop Over Food Market, featured five organisations/associations competing in two cooking stages.

The participating organisations included Ho FM (CMG), the National Union of Tricycle Owners Ghana (NUTOG), the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA), the National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers (NABH), and the Ghana National Association of Tailors and Dressmakers (GNATD).

In the first round, focused on a variety of rice dishes, Ho FM, NUTOG, and GNATD emerged as the top contenders, advancing to the second stage. 

The final round witnessed fierce competition, with Ho FM preparing Akple with Okra Stew, GNATD presenting Kokonte with groundnut soup, and NUTOG offering Banku with Okra Soup.

The judging panel, after tasting the dishes, declared Ho FM as the overall winner of the competition. 

GNATD secured the second position, while NUTOG claimed the third spot.

Mr Sampson Alorbu, the CEO of Stop Over Food Market, emphasised that the initiative aimed to promote and celebrate Ghanaian culture, encourage the consumption of locally produced food, and foster sustainable socio-economic development.

 He announced that the Independence Day Cooking Competition would become an annual event, highlighting the significance of supporting and consuming locally grown food for national development and food security.

The competition drew the presence of dignitaries, including the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ho, Richard Divine Bosson, and the parliamentary candidate-elect for the Ho Central constituency, Mr Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu. 

Both candidates commended the initiative and called for peace ahead of the upcoming 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The event featured Borborbor performances, adding cultural flair to the celebration. 

The Independence Day Cooking Competition was organised and sponsored by Stop Over Food Market, a modern market offering a wide range of foodstuffs, including meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits.