The First lady of Ghana, Rebecca Akufo- Addo has joined in the National campaign for increased consumption of cocoa and its related products during the Chocolate Week Celebration which is meant to also honour the Legendary Tetteh Quarshie and the Great Jake Obestebi-Lamptey who ushered in Ghana’s Chocolate Day celebration during his time as Tourism Minister.
In a tweet, the First Lady wished all Ghanaians and everyone who loves the rich Ghanaian chocolate, a Happy Chocolate Week. She then urged all Ghanaians to continue to enjoy made in Ghana chocolate products and promote Ghana chocolate to the world.
Mrs. Frema Osei-Opare, the Chief of Staff also urged Ghanaians to eat cocoa products to stay healthy and help grow the economy of Ghana whilst sharing her chocolate experience in a recorded video.
“Cocoa is the life of our economy and we need to support our country by enjoying cocoa and all cocoa products. So, I will urge you all, in this Cocoa Month; Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy and Grow Ghana.
Mrs. Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff of Ghana
On his part, the Minority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament & MP for Tamale South, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, encouraged all Ghanaians to join in sharing their chocolate experience by consuming more chocolate products on 14th February to contribute to the growth of the Ghanaian economy. He added that Ghana’s proud cocoa product- chocolate can help reduce high blood pressure and can make one mentally sharp.
Speaking at the launch of the National Chocolate week in Accra last week, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo indicated that his outfit has been committed to adding value to locally produced cocoa and to actively promote the consumption of its derivatives, thus has pursued several programmes to promote the local processing of cocoa.
“This has been informed by the fact that cocoa is a superfood embedded with countless nutritional and health benefits which must be consumed daily. As I have always said, consuming cocoa products is very useful for children, youth, adults and the aged as well”
Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, COCOBOD CEO
He also intimated that the amount of cocoa processed domestically was low in spite of the fact that the country had a domestic processing capacity of more than 500,000 metric tonnes (MT), stating that the country was currently processing about 40 percent of cocoa beans locally and was, therefore, confident of meeting the 50 percent.
The Public Affairs Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Fiifi Boafo, has intimated that President Akufo-Addo will also join in the national campaign to share his chocolate experience and appeal to the public to consume cocoa products for health and vitality. Mr Fiifi Boafo added that President Akufo-Addo’s message will be part of the special campaign messages from the country’s top leaders encouraging the public to consume more cocoa-sourced product. He revealed that the Chocolate Week Celebration which is dubbed ‘Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy and Grow Ghana’ will feature other key leaders and personalities including the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Mrs. Samira Bawumia as well as the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah sharing their experiences with chocolate.
National Chocolate Week
COCOBOD, in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority, launched the 2021 National Chocolate Week which is celebrated on the theme ‘Eat chocolates, Stay healthy and Grow Ghana.’ The celebration, which is from February 8-14,2021 is packed with activities to encourage the consumption of chocolate confectionery, beverages, and chocolate-infused dishes.
The National Chocolate Week which would be marked in February every year by COCOBOD, in collaboration with the GTA and chocolate manufacturers, is to not only display or sell various cocoa savouries, recipes and confectioneries but also for players in the industry to interact as well as raise public awareness of the health benefits of cocoa consumption.
