A new children’s book by Ghanaian food storyteller Bibiana Gyasi (Cheflifestyle) is placing culture, confidence, and literacy at the centre of early childhood development.
Set to launch on February 28, 2026, ahead of Ghana Month celebrations, the book transforms familiar Ghanaian kitchen tools and everyday kitchen experiences into imaginative storytelling, making culture accessible, joyful, and relatable for children.
While Bibiana is widely known for documenting Ghanaian cuisine and travel over the past six years, this project shifts her storytelling from digital platforms into children’s literature with a deeper focus on generational impact.
Rooted in Identity
In an era where global media dominates bookshelves and screens, many children both in Ghana and in the diaspora are exposed to foreign narratives long before they fully understand their own cultural context.
Bibiana believes early representation matters.
“When children see themselves reflected in stories, in the food they eat, the homes they recognise, the language they hear, it builds confidence and belonging,” she notes.
Her book responds to this gap by embedding literacy within familiar local contexts. Kitchens become classrooms. Ingredients become storytellers. Everyday Ghanaian experiences become meaningful narratives.
Why Food?
Food carries history. It carries migration, memory, and meaning. Yet many families today are disconnected from the origins and cultural significance behind everyday meals.
Through this book, Bibiana uses food as a gateway to identity helping children understand that what they eat is not ordinary, but part of a larger cultural story.
Beyond the Book
More than a standalone publication, the book forms the foundation of a broader cultural literacy initiative designed to extend into schools and communities across Ghana.
Planned activities include:
- Structured school tours featuring interactive reading sessions
- Literacy and storytelling workshops
- Creative cooking sessions introducing children to hands-on cultural learning
- Book donation drives to underserved schools and communities
The initiative aims to address two pressing concerns simultaneously: declining reading culture and weakening cultural identity among young people.
Building Cultural Confidence
With this project, Bibiana Gyasi expands her role from food influencer to cultural educator — positioning storytelling as both preservation and empowerment.
The initiative is currently open to collaboration with NGOs, corporate brands, CSR departments, educational institutions, and foundations aligned with youth development, literacy, and cultural sustainability.
As Ghana celebrates its heritage in March, Bibiana’s children’s book signals a broader movement: one that ensures the next generation grows up not only reading stories but recognising themselves within them.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
