Residents of Koforidua, do not understand why Ghana, despite being a global producer and exporter of Cocoa price cocoa proceeds high.
Alex Narh, one of the residents opined that Ghanaians should spend cheap on cocoa products since it is a major producer worldwide.
“I am told the prices are up so I don’t even want to ask of the chocolates to buy. The economy is hard already. We produce cocoa, we should have cheap products to buy.”
Alex Narh
Narh argued that, many of the populace, specifically referring to the youth of Koforidua should have products that are affordable, with Ghana noted as leading producer of cocoa in the world.
The price reduction, many of the residents confirmed will attract a greater demand and wider consumption among a larger populace in the country.
Meanwhile, other residents hold a different view on this. Some opinionated that more consumption of the local chocolate and other products, regardless of the price would help improve the local economy.
“The economic happenings around the world means we should promote what we have locally, regardless of the price. We should buy it to ensure we boost the local economy.”
Leonard Nutakor, One of the Residents
Yaa Adobea Okyireh, also a resident of Koforidua expressed excitement about the National Chocolate Day Initiative pushed forward by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
“I am happy to receive a chocolate today, we should all consume the cocoa products.”
Adobea Okyireh
Moving to the business segment and knowing how businesses were fairing with the acquisition of Cocoa products on Valentine’s day and for that matter, National Chocolate Day, Gifty Abena Macamba, a business woman who has been selling chocolates for years, disclosed that profit margins have reduced because prices have shot up – twice last year’s price.
“I have only large ones to sell this year. The small ones didn’t arrive from Tema. The prices have shot up from GH¢500 to almost GH¢1000. I wish government could intervene, else profit margins would be lost.”
Gifty Macamba
On this grounds, residents of the Eastern Region capital, Koforidua, made a call out to government to make cocoa products affordable in the market.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) initiated the National Chocolate Day on Valentine’s Day to encourage the youth to patronize made-in-Ghana cocoa-based products and as well share with loved ones.
The initiative has caught on but affordability remains a challenge and concern for the average income earner.
Yesterday, Tuesday, February 14, marking the National Chocolate Day, also Valentine’s Day Celebrations, officials of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) shared chocolates to residents in the central business district who were based in Koforidua.
GTA acknowledges price concerns of cocoa products, however explains its position
Dinah Adu Owusu, Eastern Regional Ghana Tourism Regional Manager, acknowledged the price concerns of cocoa products as shared by both individuals and businesses, but maintained that the prices offer enormous benefits to the consumer, producers and government.
“As usual this year, we are promoting the cocoa products. We want to encourage everyone to use it today as a gift and consume the products each day because of its health benefit.
“If we consume more chocolates, there would be more demand, our local economy would improve, those along the value chain would make gains as well.”
Dinah Owusu
The theme by the Ghana Tourism Authority, declared for the year, 2023 is ‘Eat Chocolate, Stay healthy, Grow Ghana’.
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