This is GH and eating habits are rather unfortunately astounding. Lots of folks irrespective of their social status and financial clout find themselves firmly active in this phenomenon. Majority of people only think of how to fill their bellies rather than what goes into it. This is mostly associated with the very average Ghanaian whose capital base is nothing to envy. They share in the policy of quantity instead of the quality of foods the goes into their bellies. Those with deep pockets are also concerned with foods seen as prestigious leaving their nutritional values to the background.
OSU is soon becoming a major marketing spot for all various products. This includes the appetizing flavored meat locally known as Domedo. This is a very spicy and attractive meat, prepared from pork, a meat prohibited by numerous religions. It is prepared by several methods- frying, roasting or boiling. The OSU market is home to several sellers of this delicacy every evening. These competing sellers lavishly display the appealing Domedo to cash in on admirers and passes by. It is either exposed openly or covered with a revealing material which is certainly going to retain its appeal and visibility.
Pork has a long standing history around the world but has gradually become the favorite meat of several homes. The product is viewed with suspicion and has been a subject of debate amongst many religious. Christians rebuff this meat on the basis of their Holy Scriptures, Leviticus 11:2-4 and Deuteronomy 14:8. The Islamic dietary laws also forbid pork on the Quran, Surahs 2:173, 5:3, 5:60, 6:145 and 16: 115. There is also a prejudice of pork among Scottish Highlanders, stemming from the Scottish pork taboo. Rastafarians just like Ethiopian Orthodox also preach against the consumption of pork.
Madam Rita Atswei Adjetey is a native of OSU and sells domedo just opposite the night market. She has been in the trade for close to five years. She owns a small kiosk in which she sells yam in addition to the famous Domedo. Her space looks cleaner and her persona portrays her as hygienic conscious. She serves hundreds of costumers every night that continually appreciates her services. Madam Rita is not aware of any health implications of the meat she sells. To her, the absence of complains from her costumers is a sign safety.
On a late Friday night, Betty and I arrived at Madam Rita’s joint only to be welcomed by a lengthy queue. Adults and young adults of both sexes waited patiently for their turn to be served their desired domedo. The meat is affordable and with a 50Gp, you will take home the smallest piece for your enjoying pleasure. With all these numbers, she manages to involve us in a chat on her business. It didn’t take too long for a plate of the delicious meat to be placed in front of us.
‘‘I will get worried when my costumers start complaining about the meat. But for now, that is not the case so I think there is no problem. I remember some people talking about a doctor saying Domedo is not good. I was not worried by that because they are still buying the meat. I sell everything any night I come here. I don’t think it does any harm to the body. It is very delicious and all my costumers say that. Everyone knows that Domedo is very delicious and people came from La and other places to buy’’, Madam Rita’s words.
Just like Madam Rita, most of her costumers are ignorant of the health implications of their most cherished domedo. The few aware are not deterred; rather they are deceived by the scrumptious nature of the meat. Jessica Kpodi is a Nigerian-Ghanaian and very much aware of the implications of the meat. She would shy away from my questions but strongly admits the delicious nature of the meat. This pretty face claims people hide behind the taste and consume it very often. Though she loves it very much she will never consume more then 2GHc.
Eyram of Ghana Most Beautiful fame is another person who can’t resist Domedo. She is not worried about the health implications or the stigmatization from religious heads. ‘‘My dad use to keep these animals and we were always eating pork. Every other food can be harmful depending on how you treat it. I will keep to my favorite meat and am not scared of any health problems’’.
Medication practioners have repeatedly warned against the consumption of this meat for its devastative implications. One of such persons is Amewode Elikplim, formerly of the Ghana school of Hygiene. The medical expert says pork is very harmful to persons who consume it in large quantities. ‘‘This is a meat that has large quantity of fat and you know what fat and cholesterol does to the body. I am not saying people should stop eating pork, but rather regulate their intake of the meat’’.
Mr. Amewode goes on to highlight how pork can be dangerous to the consumers. It became obvious certain illness including Hypertension and Stroke can be traced to the intake of pork. ‘‘The body needs fat for insulation. Pork in general has excess fat and when taken in large quantities, can be deposited in the veins. This results in a narrow passage, bringing the heart under pressure to pump. This causes what is commonly called High Blood Pressure. Also this leads into other illness like Stroke and Hypertension. The intake of pork should be regulated and people should exercise more for it to breakdown faster’’.
With this advice from the medical expert, the Domedo folks should reduce their intake of the meat as well as take to the streets for more exercise. It won’t make any sense to buy for yourself sickness instead of a delicious meat. Till we meet again at the Domedo joint near you, let’s get your trainers ready for every morning jogging after a long night of Domedo pleasure. Cheers guys!
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