Ghana today climaxed the 2025 National Chocolate Week celebrations with a colourful durbar at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.
The week-long festivities, which kicked off last Friday, have been a spectacular showcase of Ghana’s rich cocoa heritage, featuring chocolate exhibitions, a chocolate-themed cook-off, street floats, and visits to hospitals and cocoa farmers, among other exciting activities culminating in the commemoration of the National Chocolate Day durbar.
Themed “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana” with the sub-theme “Chocolate for All: Taste, Share, and Care,” this year’s event underscored the importance of local cocoa consumption, its economic potential, and its integral role in Ghana’s tourism industry.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, highlighted the deep-rooted significance of cocoa in Ghana’s history and economy.
“As we commemorate this special occasion, which coincides with Valentine’s Day, we are reminded of the universal appeal of chocolate – a symbol of love, unity, and joy,” she stated. “Ghana is a global leader in cocoa production, and today, we reaffirm our commitment to growing our local chocolate industry, creating jobs, and boosting tourism through the Black Star Experience initiative.”
The Black Star Experience is Ghana’s flagship tourism drive, aimed at promoting the country’s culture, creative arts, and local industries, with cocoa at its heart. Hon. Gomashie urged Ghanaians to embrace local chocolates, citing their immense health benefits, which include boosting immunity, reducing stress, and improving brain function.
Ghana’s National Chocolate Day has evolved into a week-long celebration, redefining how Ghanaians observe Valentine’s Day. Speaking at the event, Mrs. Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto noted that the initiative has successfully promoted local chocolate consumption, enhanced domestic tourism, and fostered job creation.
“Our per capita cocoa consumption has seen a significant rise, doubling from just 0.5kg in 2017 to nearly 1.0kg today,” she revealed. “Cocoa is now a key component of Ghana’s tourism experience, with international visitors eager to explore its heritage, from our renowned chocolate factories to the historic Tetteh Quashie Cocoa Farm.”
Mrs. Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, highlighted the significance of the event. “Our theme for this year’s celebration epitomizes the need for us to inculcate the habit of consuming cocoa in its various forms such as chocolate, cocoa drinks, and powder. This helps us benefit from its numerous health and nutritional values and also creates wealth for the country and all players on the cocoa value chain.”
Mrs. Houadjeto noted that the National Chocolate Week has reshaped the way Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Ghana, shifting the focus towards the country’s rich cocoa heritage. “The national chocolate week has helped to reshape the celebration of Valentine’s Day in Ghana by leveraging chocolate as a symbol of love, providing a longer period of engagement and increased awareness. It promotes local consumption of Ghanaian chocolate, enhances social cohesion, and creates jobs among the youth.”
Ghana’s cocoa industry remains a pillar of its economy, and Mrs. Houadjeto emphasized its connection to tourism. “Cocoa has become a veritable component of Ghana’s tourism experience, igniting a sense of pride and heritage. Research has shown that travellers eat and drink local products when they are away from home, and many seek to sample dishes other than their own. Chocolate can therefore become a central attraction for tourists who seek exotic foods.”
She urged key stakeholders to promote local chocolatiers and cocoa-based entrepreneurs, stating, “In respect of stimulating domestic consumption of cocoa-based products, we need to promote and encourage more chocolatiers to join the value chain. The more domestic chocolatiers and nuanced products there are on the local market, the better our chances of deepening local taste and demand. The same incentives offered to foreign direct investors should be extended to our local chocolatiers.”
The Ghana Tourism Authority, in partnership with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and various cocoa processors, has played a pivotal role in making the National Chocolate Week a national and international success. With events such as the Golden Bean Recipe Battle, Cocoa Quiz Competition, and Chocolate Feast, the initiative continues to inspire greater appreciation and investment in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Dr. Ransford Abbey, Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board, reiterated COCOBOD’s commitment to increasing local cocoa processing and reducing raw bean exports.
“Our focus is to add value to our cocoa, ensuring that Ghanaian chocolate becomes a globally recognised brand,” he said. “We invite both local and foreign investors to take advantage of the growing demand for Ghanaian cocoa products. The government has put in place incentives to support investment in processing, packaging, and export.”
He applauded the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, including chocolatiers, vendors, and the hospitality sector, in promoting the consumption of Ghanaian chocolate.
