Banku and okro soup deaths: Death toll rises to six

The death toll from a case of suspected food poisoning at Akakpokope, a village in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region has risen to six following the death of a child.

All of the mysterious deaths (including a mother and a daughter) centre around the consumption of a popular local delicacy; banku and okro soup.

It is reported that the deceased persons started complaining of stomach upset shortly after consuming the corn-based banku and okro soup (made from the okra plant) on Thursday.

The deceased persons include Peace Akapko, 35; Elias Akakpo, 14; Comfort Aryee, 40 and Patience Kwaovi, 10. They were all rushed to the Sogakope District Hospital but died shortly after their arrival.

The bodies of the deceased are expected to be sent to Accra for an autopsy while the Food and Drugs Authority in the Volta Region is also running tests on samples of the dish consumed by the victims. 

The District Security Council (DISEC) will hold an emergency meeting Monday morning to address the problem.

About banku

Banku is a Ghanaian dish which is cooked by a proportionate mixture of fermented corn and cassava dough in hot water into a smooth, whitish consistent paste.

Served with soup, stew or a pepper sauce with fish.

It is mostly preferred by the people of the Southern Regions of Ghana; the Ewe tribe of the Volta Region, the Fante and the Ga tribe but also eaten across the other regions in Ghana.

Banku is found throughout Ghana and is one of the staple foods enjoyed by all tribes in the country.