The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and key stakeholders in the cocoa value chain, has officially launched the 2026 National Chocolate Week celebration as part of efforts to boost local chocolate consumption, strengthen tourism and expand value addition within Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Director of Tourism, Dr. Geoffrey Tamaloe, described February 14 as a day that goes beyond romantic celebration to reflect Ghana’s love for cocoa, national pride and appreciation for farmers, processors and entrepreneurs who sustain one of the country’s most vital economic assets.
He noted that the celebration, themed “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy and Grow Ghana – Experience Ghana, Share the Cocoa Love,” highlights cocoa not just as a confectionery product but as a symbol of agricultural excellence, industrial potential, tourism development and national resilience.
Dr. Tamaloe explained that through the National Chocolate Week initiative, the Ministry working closely with the GTA, COCOBOD and the Cocoa Processing Company continues to position Ghana as the home of authentic cocoa and chocolate experiences under the government’s flagship Black Star Experience tourism programme.
According to him, chocolate tourism, including visits to cocoa farms, processing factories, and tasting centres, presents growing opportunities for domestic tourism, youth engagement, and private sector participation.
He added that this year’s celebration has been aligned with the government’s 24-Hour Economy Initiative, which promotes continuous economic activity and job creation by integrating tourism promotion, public engagement, and agricultural value chains.
“When Ghanaians choose locally made chocolate, they support farmers, strengthen manufacturing, create jobs, and retain value within the national economy. Every piece of Made-in-Ghana chocolate consumed is an investment in Ghana’s future,” Dr. Tamaloe stated.
Complementing his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, described the celebration as a movement aimed at transforming Ghana from a raw cocoa exporter into a strong consumer and value creator in the global chocolate industry.
She revealed that although Ghana produces cocoa used in about 70 percent of the world’s chocolate, the country earns only a small fraction of the industry’s total value.
“The global chocolate industry is worth about 160 billion dollars, yet Ghana earned just 3.86 billion dollars from cocoa last year despite producing over 700,000 metric tonnes annually as the world’s second-largest producer,” she said.
Maame Efua Houadjeto stressed the need to prioritise locally made chocolate, noting that most of the profits are captured abroad through branding and processing.
She recounted a recent educational tour to the FairAfric Chocolate Factory in Amanase in the Eastern Region, where schoolchildren were taken through the chocolate production process.
“Seeing the pride in the children as they tasted chocolate made in Ghana showed that we are not just launching a chocolate month; we are launching a movement,” she noted.
As part of the celebration, the Ghana Chocolate Fair at the Nationalism Park will feature Ghanaian chocolate brands such as Golden Tree, FairAfric, Niche Cocoa, Chocolat Republic, Ohima, Midunu, Polka Valley, Cocoa Villa and others, offering tasting sessions, exhibitions, entertainment and interactive learning.
Other activities include a 24-hour chocolate activation experience, a chocolate appreciation initiative at Parliament, regional outreach programmes to schools and communities, and factory tours to promote experiential tourism.
The GTA CEO emphasized that local chocolate production supports over 800,000 cocoa farming families while creating jobs for the youth and strengthening domestic manufacturing.
“When we choose Ghanaian chocolate, we keep more value at home. The best cocoa in the world grows here, so our chocolate should be the most loved,” she said.
Both officials commended COCOBOD, local manufacturers, educational institutions and media partners for their support in transforming cocoa into a cultural, tourism, and economic experience.
The 2026 National Chocolate Week celebration was officially declared open with a call on the public to support Made-in-Ghana chocolate, promote healthy living, and actively participate in activities across the country.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
