Ghana Celebrates National Chocolate Day with a Sweet Twist

Ghana's rich cocoa heritage takes center stage today as the country marks Valentine's Day and National Chocolate Day. Honourable Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, addressed Parliament, highlighting the significance of the celebration.

This year's theme, "Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana," accompanied by the sub-theme "Chocolate for All: Taste, Share, and Care," emphasizes the importance of sustaining Ghana's cocoa sector and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Ghana's National Chocolate Day was instituted in 2007 to coincide with Valentine's Day, with the aim of boosting domestic consumption of Ghanaian chocolate and other cocoa-based products. In 2021, the celebration was expanded into a week-long event, which has been successfully held annually since then.

The National Chocolate Week is not just about sharing chocolates; it's an opportunity to foster unity, national pride, and promote domestic tourism. Ghanaians are encouraged to indulge in locally produced chocolate, share its goodness with loved ones, and show care for cocoa-growing communities.

To mark the occasion, various activities have been planned, including:

- Chocolate Experience: Passengers arriving at Kotoka International Airport will receive complimentary Golden Tree chocolate bars.
- Chocolate-Drink-Stand: A chocolate drink stand will be set up at the Ghana Tourism Authority head office.
- Regional Hospital Visits: Regional offices of the Ghana Tourism Authority will visit pediatric units of regional hospitals with chocolates.
- Street Float and Chocolate Feast: A street float and chocolate feast will take place through the principal streets of Accra, ending with a durbar at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts urges all Ghanaians to join in the celebration, promoting the country's rich cocoa heritage and contributing to its economic growth.