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Zimbabwean Islamic scholar and motivational speaker, Mufti Ismail Musa Menk, has diplomatically addressed the long-standing rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria over which country boasts the best jollof rice.
In a light-hearted yet clever manner, Mufti Menk asserted that the superiority of jollof rice depends entirely on where it is eaten.
The topic of jollof is one of the most sensitive topics in this part of the world, but I have a fact that will not be debatable
Ghanaian jollof is the best jollof as long as it is eaten in Ghana. The moment you go to Nigeria, Nigerian jollof is the best. When you are eating it in Nigeria, the Ghanaian one doesn’t taste nice. So today, we are eating it in Ghana, so Ghana jollof is the best
The scholar later clarified his position during an appearance on the GTV Breakfast Show with Valerie Danso and Thelma Tackie, explaining that his statement was intended to avoid taking sides in the playful rivalry.
The problem is that some people only listened to the first part of it and started saying I took sides. And I said, well, we took sides with the place we are in
Jollof rice, a staple dish in West Africa, is made from rice, tomatoes, peppers, and other ingredients. Its origins trace back to Senegal, where it evolved from a dish called Ceebu jën during the colonial period, when broken rice imported from Indochina became popular in the region.
Mufti Menk’s diplomatic approach to the jollof debate may not resolve the rivalry, but it certainly added a flavourful twist to the ongoing discussion between Ghana and Nigeria.