A taste of fonio: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) puts an ancient African grain in the spotlight in Accra

“You guys should try fonio, it’s really good.” That was the verdict from one of the many visitors tasting fonio at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stand at a diplomatic community event hosted by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra on Saturday. FAO set up the stand as an advocacy initiative to introduce more people to fonio, an ancient West African grain with significant potential for food security, nutrition, climate resilience and livelihoods. Visitors were served fonio jollof prepared by FAO Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa Chef Fatmata Binta , a leading advocate for fonio and indigenous African foods. For many, it was their first taste of the tiny grain. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with visitors praising its taste and texture and comparing it variously to rice, couscous, semolina and quinoa. “Fonio connects so many things that matter to me: our heritage, our environment and the livelihoods of African women,” said Chef Binta. “When we put fonio on people’s plates, we are not just introducing them to a new food. We are creating demand for a crop that women have grown for generations and showing that our indigenous ing