In a move to encourage the consumption of chocolates, the Managing Director of the Produce Buying Company Limited, Mr. Kojo Atakrah, has urged the manager of the school Feeding Programme to add a bar of chocolate to each pupil’s plate, as part of the feeding process.
This he noted, will boost the interest of the product among the schoolchildren and also help them benefit from the numerous nutrients of the product at their early age.
He again expressed disgust about how hardworking cocoa farmers who toil produce cocoa has never tasted chocolate before. Mr. Atakrah, who was speaking during the media launch of the National Chocolate Day celebrations, therefore indicated that chocolate should be made accessible and affordable for all, adding that chocolate should not be restricted to lovers only.
The National Chocolate Day celebrations aim at encouraging Ghanaians to consume more chocolate and other cocoa products which have a lot of nutritional benefits. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Kwabena Owusu Akyeampong, for his part, stated that cocoa is arguably the most important single symbol that tells the Ghanaians success story of hard work and resilience aptly. “From being a virtually unknown plant in Ghana, the introduction of just a few seeds was cleverly nurtured and spread to become the backbone of the country’s economy, providing employment to many and satisfying the taste of millions worldwide”, he said.
He added that apart from it revenue generating role in the national economy, it has served as a good ambassador of Ghana and, in many ways, attracted a lot of foreign attention and interest in the county. “Right from our chocolates and other finished products through the semi-processed cocoa to even the raw product, it has consistently put Ghana on the international scene for many years, since its introduction by Tetteh Quashie”, he said. On the health benefits of chocolate, he said chocolate contains a lot of nutrients that help in fighting cancer and heart diseases and could also help strengthen the immune system and reduce stress.
Mr. Julius Debrah, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, remarked that his outfit will liaise with all stakeholders to ensure that chocolate becomes an affordable product that people of all walks of life can enjoy. The Enquirer
