Onga Jollof Battle: Ghana Conquers West African Battle

Ghana has been crowned the winner of the Onga Jollof Battle West African Edition 2, after Chef Gigi emerged victorious in the regional culinary showdown held in Accra. Chef Gigi, representing Ghana, beat culinary representatives from Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone to claim the coveted title and give Ghana bragging rights in one of West Africa’s most celebrated food rivalries.

The competition was held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, bringing together chefs from five West African countries to showcase their interpretations of the region’s iconic jollof rice. Ghana’s victory marks a significant turnaround from the previous West African edition in 2025, when Nigeria won, Ghana placed second and Senegal finished third.

Chef Gigi, whose full name is Gina Abbam-Baidoo of Gigi’s Kitchen, secured Ghana’s place in the competition after emerging from a national selection process involving 10 finalists. She entered the regional contest as Ghana’s representative, with organisers highlighting her consistency, creativity and command of Ghanaian flavours.

The competition transformed the long-running debate over which West African country makes the best jollof into a live culinary contest, with participants required to demonstrate their cooking skills, creativity, presentation and ability to capture the distinctive character of their national cuisine. The five-country contest also provided a platform for the chefs to showcase the diversity of West African cooking while celebrating the shared cultural significance of jollof rice across the region.

Ghana’s triumph is particularly significant because jollof has long been at the centre of a friendly but fierce culinary rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, with both countries claiming superiority in the preparation of the popular rice dish. The Onga Jollof Battle, however, has sought to turn that rivalry into a celebration of African food culture, bringing chefs and food enthusiasts together around a dish that has become a symbol of West African identity and hospitality.

The event was staged to coincide with World Jollof Day on August 22, giving the victory added significance as Ghana celebrated the region’s signature dish. For Chef Gigi, the victory represents not only a personal achievement but also a major moment for Ghanaian culinary talent, as she demonstrated that local cooking traditions can compete successfully on a regional stage.

Her win also strengthens Ghana’s claim in the continuing jollof rivalry and gives Ghanaian food lovers a fresh reason to celebrate. With the regional crown now in Ghanaian hands, Chef Gigi’s victory is expected to further spotlight the creativity, skill and distinctive flavours of Ghanaian cuisine across West Africa.

By: Joyce Owusu