Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has launched the 2026 National Chocolate Month celebration, with the call on Ghanaians to consume more locally made chocolate to support farmers, industry growth and national development.
The celebration, which coincides with Valentine’s Day on February 14, is on the theme: “Eat Cocoa, Stay Healthy and Grow Ghana,” with the sub-theme: “Experience Ghana, Share the Cocoa Love.”
Madam Gomashie said while Valentine’s Day was globally associated with love and appreciation, in Ghana it also symbolised love for country and pride in cocoa, one of the nation’s most valuable natural resources.
“Cocoa is not merely a confectionery product. It is a symbol of Ghana’s agricultural excellence, industrial potential, tourism identity and national resilience,” she stated.
She noted that Ghana, globally recognised as a leading producer of premium cocoa, had for decades relied on the crop to sustain livelihoods, strengthen rural economies and contribute significantly to national development.
Beyond agriculture, cocoa had become a major tourism asset, with chocolate tourism emerging as an important area for domestic tourism growth, youth engagement and private sector participation.
The minister said the National Chocolate Month formed part of the ‘Black Star Experience,’ a flagship national tourism programme designed to showcase Ghana’s culture, heritage, creative arts, cuisine and natural resources through immersive experiences.
“This year’s celebration is aligned with Government’s 24-hour economy initiative, integrating tourism promotion, youth education and stakeholder engagement to create value along the cocoa supply chain,” she said.
“When Ghanaians choose locally made chocolate, we support farmers, strengthen local manufacturing, promote tourism, create jobs and retain value within our economy.”
Mrs Efua Houadjeto, the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), described the celebration as a movement to reposition Ghanaian chocolate at the centre of Valentine’s festivities.
She said the country produced over 700,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually and supplied about 70 per cent of the world’s premium chocolate, yet captured a small share of the $160 billion global chocolate industry.
“While others package and brand it, they capture most of the value. Today, we change that story, and urge Ghanaians to choose made-in-Ghana chocolates,” Mrs Houadjeto said.
She said the Ghana Chocolate Fair at the Nationalism Park would bring together local brands including Golden Tree, Fairafric, Niche, Republica, and Ohemaa, creating jobs and supporting over 800,000 farming families.
Prof. William Coffie, Managing Director, Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), said the National Chocolate Month celebrated heritage, value addition and economic resilience.
He reaffirmed CPC’s commitment to producing quality chocolate and cocoa-based products under its Golden Tree and Portem brands and announced factory tours, museum visits and chocolate tasting sessions as part of the week’s activities.
He noted the growing international interest in Ghana’s cocoa and stressed ongoing efforts to reposition the company for stronger performance with Government support.
Mr Sam Jerome, Head of Corporate Affairs, COCOBOD, called on stakeholders to use the celebration as a call to action to deepen local processing, expand domestic markets and reposition cocoa as a pillar of Ghana’s economic transformation.
Key activities lined up for the celebration include a 24-hour Chocolate in the Park activation at the Nationalism Park, featuring chocolate tasting, exhibitions, entertainment and interactive learning sessions.
Also is a chocolate appreciation initiative at Parliament and outreach programmes distributing chocolate to students and inmates, with similar activities replicated nationwide.
By Hafsa Obeng, GNA