This year’s National Chocolate Day was celebrated at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra. The event coincided with Valentine’s Day and brought together traditional leaders, players in the chocolate industry, school children, and the public.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie welcomed all to the National Chocolate Day celebration, and said the day was being celebrated to remind us about the rich history and cultural significance of cocoa in Ghana, under the theme “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana” and the sub-theme “Chocolate for All: Taste, Share, and Care.”
She said that since the day coincided with Valentine’s Day, everyone needed to be reminded of the importance of love, affection, and the joy of sharing chocolate with others. She stated that Chocolate is indeed a universal language in that, regardless of our race and gender, it enables us to connect with others by helping us express positive emotions that essentially help us communicate without words. As Ghanaians, we are proud to be one of the world’s leading producers of cocoa.
The day was celebrated under the Black Star Experience initiative, a flagship programme designed to promote the country’s rich cultural heritage and has a cocoa symbol indicating national pride and economic strength. By celebrating National Chocolate Day, she said we are promoting our local chocolate industry and showcasing the best of Ghanaian culture and hospitality to the world.
The Black Star Experience initiative, she said will help to promote tourism, create jobs, and drive economic growth. By experiencing the best of Ghana’s tourism, culture and creative arts, visitors from around the world will develop a deeper appreciation for our rich cultural heritage, she stated.
She paid glowing tribute to Tetteh Quashie, the Ghanaian farmer who introduced cocoa beans to Ghana from Fernando Po in the late 19th century. Again, she said we must honour the farmers who cultivated this prestigious crop, transforming it into the sweet delight that brings joy to millions worldwide.
Hon, Abla Dzifa Gomashie said Ghanaian chocolates not only taste good, but they also have numerous health benefits, including antioxidants that help boost our immune system. She therefore used the occasion to encourage Ghanaians to taste, share, and care for our local chocolates and extended an invitation to all to participate in the Chocolate Experience events across the nation, where one can indulge in the rich flavours of our local chocolates and learn more about our cocoa heritage, where the best would be showcased to the world.
She reminded us all about the government’s commitment to providing resources, training, and market access to help our chocolate industry thrive. She encouraged the public to participate in the Chocolate Experience events across the nation, to indulge in the rich flavours of our local chocolates and to learn more about our cocoa.
She added that National Chocolate Day is a celebration of our values, history, and culture. Eating chocolates will help us stay healthy and promote and preserve our culture, tourism and economic growth, and the need for all to support this initiative.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto made a call for more chocolatiers and entrepreneurs to join the value chain to stimulate domestic consumption of cocoa-based products. “The more domestic and nuanced products there are on the local market, the better our chances of deepening the local taste and demand”, she said.
Mrs Efua Houadjeto said the authority would use key events and activities as channels to promote and educate tourists on the health benefits of cocoa to drive consumption.
Other activities organised during the National Chocolate Week included a float and chocolate feast, a chocolate experience at the Kotoka International Airport, and hotel and restaurant participation.
