Waakye leaves, otherwise known as sun-dried leaves or stalks of red sorghum, are added to boiling pot of black eyed peas to add flavor and achieve the dark red/dark purple color that you need for authentic Ghanaian waakye.
 
You can even take out the leaves and store them in a ziploc bag in fridge or freezer for reuse.
 
The use of sorghum leaves in waakye preparation may potentially fortifyit with essential antioxidants to provide protection against the development of diseases, such as coronary heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cataract.