Veteran Ghanaian actor Fred Amugi says no woman can ever make him go hungry, and it’s not a boast. It’s a testament to skills he mastered from childhood and a lifelong commitment to independence and equality in the home.
In a recent interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show, the acclaimed actor surprised viewers not with tales from his decades-long acting career, but with stories of his passion for cooking and his belief in domestic self-sufficiency.
“No woman can ever make me go hungry,” Mr. Amugi said with conviction, pointing to his early exposure to cooking and the strong values instilled by his parents. “My father used to tell me, ‘What the girls can do, you should be able to do too.’”
Mr. Amugi’s culinary confidence began taking shape at just nine years old. He recalled how his mother rotated cooking duties between her children, giving him full responsibility for the family’s meals for an entire week at a time. On days he wasn’t in charge of the kitchen, he was expected to observe and learn—a routine that cemented his skills
His favourite dish to prepare is okro stew, a staple in many Ghanaian homes. But Mr. Amugi adds a personal twist: he makes his with coconut oil instead of the traditional palm oil. In his household, he revealed, okro stew is often served with rice, showcasing his flexibility and flair in the kitchen.
During the show, he joked with host Kafui Dey, promising that if he ever cooked for him, the meal would be so delicious “no one would suspect a woman had made it.”
Mr. Amugi’s remarks were more than just humorous anecdotes, they carried a deeper message about gender roles, independence, and cultural identity. In a society where cooking is often seen as a woman’s duty, the actor challenged that norm, calling on men to take ownership of essential life skills.
Beyond his love for okro stew, the actor noted he is also proficient at more demanding tasks in the Ghanaian kitchen, including pounding and turning fufu—a labor-intensive process that many view as a symbol of traditional masculinity.
Mr. Amugi’s culinary confidence has struck a chord with many Ghanaians, especially at a time when conversations around gender equity and domestic roles continue to evolve. His message that cooking should not be gender-assigned is resonating with both younger and older audiences alike.
While discussing his kitchen exploits, the actor also shared updates on his current work in theatre. He is starring in Ghana Must Go, a new stage play written by renowned playwright Latif Abubakar. Though he did not delve deeply into the details, he hinted at his continued commitment to storytelling both on screen and on stage.
Fred Amugi, long admired for his commanding presence in film and television, is now earning equal praise for his perspective off-screen. By opening up about his domestic life and values, he’s adding new dimensions to what it means to be a Ghanaian man in today’s world.
Whether on set or at the stove, Mr. Amugi’s message remains consistent: responsibility, skill, and dignity know no gender.
