The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has reiterated its dedication to championing locally produced goods, placing particular focus on cocoa-based products as part of this year’s National Chocolate Month celebrations.
Speaking during a tour of Fairafric, a Suhum-based organic and fair-trade chocolate manufacturing company in the Eastern Region, the Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, highlighted the broader vision behind this year’s observance.
She explained that while February has traditionally been used to celebrate chocolate as a symbol of love and affection, this year’s commemoration is taking a more comprehensive approach by drawing attention to the entire cocoa production process — from cultivation to processing and packaging.
According to her, the initiative is intended to deepen public appreciation for Ghana’s cocoa industry and the numerous stakeholders who contribute to its success.
“Beyond celebrating chocolate, we want to spotlight every stage of the cocoa journey. It is important that Ghanaians understand and value the full process that brings cocoa products to market,” she stated.
The visit brought together GTA officials and students from a private schools association. Fairafric was chosen for the tour because of its hands-on engagement with cocoa farmers and its investment in sustainable production practices within farming communities.
Participants were given the opportunity to visit cocoa farms, learn about harvesting and processing techniques, and observe how raw cocoa beans are transformed into finished chocolate products.
Mrs. Houadjeto noted that including students in the tour was a deliberate effort to instill national pride and encourage young people to support and promote Ghanaian-made goods among their peers.
She emphasized that promoting local enterprises remains central to the Authority’s tourism development strategy, adding that brands like Fairafric exemplify Ghana’s capacity to add value to its raw materials.
Also addressing the gathering, Mr. Gilbert Abeku Aggrey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Marketing and Special Duties, pointed out that cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most significant economic pillars, ranking as the second-largest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Despite its economic importance, he observed that a substantial portion of cocoa is exported in raw form, limiting local consumption and value addition.
He explained that the National Chocolate Month campaign is designed to boost awareness and encourage Ghanaians to consume more cocoa-derived products.
“We are working with media personalities, influencers, and public figures to amplify the message and promote cocoa-based products — not just chocolate, but the wider range of derivatives,” he said.
Mr. Aggrey further described the student engagement as an innovative step in strengthening domestic appreciation for the cocoa sector and called on the public to intentionally support locally manufactured cocoa products, particularly during the month dedicated to celebrating cocoa and love.
He concluded by urging citizens to embrace their role in sustaining Ghana’s cocoa industry through conscious patronage of made-in-Ghana brands.
