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The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) observed Chocolate Day on Friday, February 7, 2025, in preparation for the year’s Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2025..
This year’s chocolate day celebration is themed “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana,” with the sub-theme “Chocolate For All: Taste, Share, and Care.”
The celebration aligns with this year’s Valentine’s Day.
The National Chocolate Day Celebration was established in 2007 by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture to coincide with Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14.
In 2021, COCOBOD and the GTA introduced the concept of extending the celebration, which was successfully implemented. Consequently, National Chocolate Day evolved into National Chocolate Week.
According to the organizers, the event aimed to enhance the consumption of Ghanaian chocolate and cocoa products. This initiative is designed to promote local tourism while fostering a healthy perspective in relation to this year’s Valentine’s Day.
Betty A. Kobi, Marketing Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, mentioned that the celebrations have been organized by the GTA, COCOBOD, and the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC).
She noted that these organizations have collaborated to plan a week-long celebration starting on February 9, beginning with a church visitation where they will visit various churches in Accra from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
In her address at the event in Accra, she highlighted that the primary goal of this visitation is to engage with church members and educate them on the health benefits of chocolate.
Betty Kobi outlined the various activities planned for Valentine’s Week. On February 10, there will be an exhibition at Cocoa House, COCOBOD’s regional office, showcasing the richness of Ghana’s cocoa industry from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
On February 11, they will spend quality time with selected schools, engaging in fun activities and sharing chocolate. Also, on February 12, three exciting events are scheduled, including a visit to the Chief Imam, hosting a melting moment, and a cocoa quiz competition for National Service Personnel at Cocoa House from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
Additionally, she mentioned that on February 13, there would be visits to cocoa communities to interact with school children and share their products with them.
Finally, she announced that on February 14, a float will begin at 8:00 AM at the GTA headquarters, proceeding along Principal Street in Accra, passing the Ecobank head office, the National Theater, Kinbu, the Ridge roundabout, and concluding at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
“The grand finale will commence with the float, which will navigate through the Ridge roundabout, the Ecobank head office, the National Theater, Kinbu, ECG, and culminate at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to celebrate the chocolate fest.
The purpose of the float is to promote our nation’s cocoa industry and share the happiness of chocolate with the public along the route. It will feature music and dance,” Betty Kobi explained.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA, Ben Anane Nsia, also stated that, this initiative began 20 years ago and has involved collaboration with various agencies across the country. He emphasised that this celebration has thrived within Ghana’s tourism calendar.
Ben Nsia explained their focus on two key areas: leveraging their premium chocolate and cocoa to boost consumption while highlighting health advantages. He asserted that this approach adds a unique Ghanaian touch to Valentine’s Day.
“This initiative started two decades ago and has been a partnership between the GTA and related agencies. It has thrived within Ghana’s tourism calendar because we emphasize premium chocolate and cocoa to encourage their use and benefits,” Ben noted.
He also called on Ghanaians to collaborate in promoting all cocoa-related products within the nation.
Michael Ekow Amoah, Deputy Director of Research at COCOBOD, who represented COCOBOD’s CEO, Randy Abbey, stated in his speech that the new CEO has returned with a renewed commitment to reforming the cocoa sector and revitalizing the research agenda within the industry.
He explained that this agenda focuses on placing farmers at the core of all cocoa sector discussions and activities. Through strategic partnerships, they aim to enhance cocoa farm productivity.
