By Angela Adu Asomaning
The invention of the fufu machine has brought relief to some Ghanaians, especially patrons of this delicacy.
While some Ghanaians have welcomed the innovation, others have downplayed the relevance of the machine, adding that, although the fufu machine can blend cassava, plantain, yam, and cocoyam into a smooth, elastic dough, it comes with its side effects.
Critics say the environment in which it is prepared is questionable, but can this be generalised? Ardent users of the machine say it saves time and energy, and its importance cannot be overemphasized.
Fufu is one of the main traditional dishes of the Akan people, notably among the Ashantis, Akyems, Kwahus, and Fantis. But these days, its patronage cuts across tribes. The preparation involves mainly cassava and plantain or cassava and cocoyam. These ingredients involve the boiling of the two ingredients and pounding with a pestle in a mortar into a soft texture.
The activity is quite a daunting task which requires time, energy and effort in its preparation. With the advent of technology, some inventors have come up with a machine to replace the mortar and pestle and to take away the stress involved in its preparation.
Operators of such machines say business booms, particularly on weekends. and believe it saves time and effort, and have applauded the inventors of the machine for coming to rescue Ghanaians who have no time to engage in the whole process of pounding fufu. However, some Ghanaians have spurned this technology, claiming they prefer the traditional way of preparing fufu, which is now referred to as ‘Tim, Tim’ even though it is time-consuming, energy-draining, and labor-intensive.
Their reason being that it gives the most preferred texture and taste.
A critic of the fufu machine says the conditions under which some of these millers operate are questionable and calls on Environmental health officers to visit these milling joints from time to time to assess the environment of these Operators. Fufu machines have made the process of preparing fufu faster and eased the burden on users.
