Cooking traditions powered by firewood.

When I visited Ghana during one of my trips there, I found several stacks of nicely ordered tree parts alongside the road. Initially, I had no idea what they were and why they were placed where they were. The way they were ordered indicated to me they were planned and intentionally placed. However, I did not know at the time what they were used for until I viewed them up close.

I quickly discovered that those parts of the wood were used for firewood and are a common method of cooking meals in many parts of Ghana. What struck me about the wood was the amount of care that went into cutting and arranging the wood, similar to the photographs I have shared.

The bundles of firewood are sold each day to individuals who use them for preparing meals for themselves and their families. Early in the morning, individuals go to buy enough firewood to be able to prepare meals that will last through the remainder of the day and beyond. In essence, this is an extremely simple system, but it serves an extremely important role in many people's lives on a daily basis.

In addition, another advantage to using firewood is that it is far less expensive than some of the alternative methods of cooking, such as using gas or electricity. As a result, firewood can be purchased by many individuals who may not have access to gas or electricity and therefore, continue to have meals prepared for themselves and their families.

Finally, this practice of selling firewood also helps support the livelihoods of many. It continues to provide employment opportunities for many farmers and wood sellers, while providing them with a steady source of income. I am glad to be able to share this experience with my readers so they may see how traditional practices combined with resourcefulness and daily survival needs meet in very practical and meaningful ways in Ghana.