28 Aug 2025, 19:03Rubina Fosua ArthurLondon, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Pounding Praise: How authentic Fufu Built Fellowship in East London
The London Ghana Social Department hosted a truly unique community event over the recent bank holiday weekend, collaborating with the church’s personal ministries, health, teens, and youth departments. This historic gathering, which took place on the 24th of August, 2025, brought something new and exciting to the church’s history: a traditional fufu pounding and barbecue.
The day began at Beckton Park with a health expo, where community members received health checks from a team of NHS and other healthcare professionals. The event’s backdrop of active football and athletic competitions added to the vibrant atmosphere. Following the expo, attendees were invited to a celebratory feast. In addition to the usual grilled assortment of clean meats and vegetarian options, the menu featured an authentic and exotic delicacy: fufu, traditionally pounded with a pestle and mortar.
Mrs. Esther Benefo Boateng, one of the key organisers of the event, was thrilled with its positive impact on the local community. “We wanted to showcase this aspect of Ghanaian culture, which is often seen as impossible to recreate in Europe,” she explained. “All the ingredients—cassava, cocoyam, and green plantain—were purchased right here in London. We wanted our young people to see and taste how fufu is traditionally prepared, not the overly processed, powdered version that is usually full of preservatives and less healthy.”
For Francis, a recently baptised member of the church, the event was a powerful reminder of home. “I was shocked to see this event with my own eyes and immediately lined up to take part,” he shared. “I’ve had some wonderful experiences as a new member, but this made me feel truly included. It served as a home away from home.”
This blend of health, heritage, and fellowship created a truly memorable experience for everyone involved, celebrating both spiritual and cultural identity within the East London community.
The London Ghana Social Department hosted a truly unique community event over the recent bank holiday weekend, collaborating with the church’s personal ministries, health, teens, and youth departments. This historic gathering, which took place on the 24th of August, 2025, brought something new and exciting to the church’s history: a traditional fufu pounding and barbecue.
The day began at Beckton Park with a health expo, where community members received health checks from a team of NHS and other healthcare professionals. The event’s backdrop of active football and athletic competitions added to the vibrant atmosphere. Following the expo, attendees were invited to a celebratory feast. In addition to the usual grilled assortment of clean meats and vegetarian options, the menu featured an authentic and exotic delicacy: fufu, traditionally pounded with a pestle and mortar.
Mrs. Esther Benefo Boateng, one of the key organisers of the event, was thrilled with its positive impact on the local community. “We wanted to showcase this aspect of Ghanaian culture, which is often seen as impossible to recreate in Europe,” she explained. “All the ingredients—cassava, cocoyam, and green plantain—were purchased right here in London. We wanted our young people to see and taste how fufu is traditionally prepared, not the overly processed, powdered version that is usually full of preservatives and less healthy.”
For Francis, a recently baptised member of the church, the event was a powerful reminder of home. “I was shocked to see this event with my own eyes and immediately lined up to take part,” he shared. “I’ve had some wonderful experiences as a new member, but this made me feel truly included. It served as a home away from home.”
This blend of health, heritage, and fellowship created a truly memorable experience for everyone involved, celebrating both spiritual and cultural identity within the East London community.
