Drivers of Food Choice and Implications for Building Immunity against COVID-19 in Ghana and Burkina Faso

Abstract

This paper examines the drivers of food choice in Anglophone and Francophone settings in the West African Savannah, and highlights
the implications for building immunity against COVID-19. The study used scientific and indigenous methodologies to purposively sample and interact with 28 key informants, 13 focus groups, and three Case Studies, which included smallholder farmers, indigenous  institutional functionaries, food security activists, traditional leaders, clan/lineage heads, and women’s groups in Ghana and Burkina  Faso. The content of transcripts was analyzed to generate quantitative information to understand the distribution of opinion on specific  issues. The study found that, among Gourounsi/Kasena smallholder farmers in Ghana and Burkina Faso, appearance and taste are  stronger drivers of food choice than health and nutrition. However, “food that has soul” (tasty and micronutrient dense) is the underlying  driver of food choice among Gourounsi/Kasena smallholder farmers in both countries. Millet has the highest soul among the  crops, and late millet has the highest soul among all millets. Millet flour drink has the highest soul among all the recipes of millet. Study  participants say eating “food that has soul” is wholesome for humans and it engenders food production systems that are ecologically  balanced. Gourounsi foods also nourish the body and potentially boost its immunity against microbial attacks. Gourounsi/Kasena foods  should be incorporated into the national COVID-19 response for countries in the West African Savannah.