The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with COCOBOD and the Cocoa Processing Company, is gearing up for the 2025 National Chocolate Week celebration, themed “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana,” with the sub-theme “Chocolate for All: Taste, Share, and Care.” This initiative, held under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, will run from February 3rd to 14th, 2025, aiming to promote the health benefits of chocolate consumption while boosting Ghana’s cocoa industry. The celebration serves as a platform to showcase Ghana’s rich cocoa heritage and the quality of its chocolate products, further establishing chocolate as a symbol of national pride and economic significance. It’s also a tribute to the tireless efforts of cocoa farmers who have contributed immensely to the global recognition of Ghanaian chocolate.
The National Chocolate Day celebration, initially launched in 2005 to coincide with Valentine’s Day, was designed to encourage the local consumption of Ghanaian chocolate and cocoa-based products. Recognizing the potential for a broader impact, COCOBOD and GTA expanded the celebration into a week-long event in 2021, establishing an annual tradition that now encompasses a wider range of activities and engagement. This evolution reflects a strategic approach to not only promoting chocolate consumption but also highlighting the cultural and economic importance of the cocoa industry to Ghana. The week-long celebration provides a more substantial platform for education, engagement, and the promotion of Ghanaian chocolate both domestically and internationally.
The 2025 celebration has a multifaceted approach, incorporating elements of social responsibility, public awareness campaigns, and festive celebrations. A key highlight will be the visits by GTA’s regional offices to pediatric units in regional hospitals on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. This compassionate gesture aims to bring joy to young patients by sharing the delight of chocolate treats, demonstrating the event’s commitment to community engagement and spreading the message of chocolate’s positive attributes. The act of sharing chocolate transcends mere consumption, symbolizing care, compassion, and the shared enjoyment of a national treasure.
Public awareness and engagement form a crucial part of the week’s activities. From February 3rd to 14th, media engagements and public sensitization campaigns will focus on educating the public about the health benefits of chocolate consumption. This educational drive aims to dispel misconceptions and highlight the nutritional value of chocolate, encouraging its integration into a healthy lifestyle. A “Melting Moment” event at the GTA Head Office reception on February 13th will offer visitors warm chocolate drinks, providing a sensory experience that connects them directly to the richness and pleasure of Ghanaian chocolate. These events underscore the importance of educating consumers and promoting responsible chocolate consumption.
The culmination of the National Chocolate Week celebration will be a grand display of festivity and cultural pride on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. A vibrant float, showcasing the spirit of the celebration, will parade through the principal streets of Accra, culminating in a stakeholder durbar at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. This public spectacle serves as a vibrant expression of national pride in Ghana’s cocoa heritage. The durbar, a traditional gathering, will provide a platform for stakeholders to interact, share experiences, and reinforce the collaborative spirit driving the growth of the cocoa industry.
Extending the celebration beyond national borders, an activation event at Kotoka International Airport will engage arriving passengers, offering them a taste of Ghanaian chocolate while raising awareness about its health benefits. This strategic initiative introduces Ghana’s premium chocolate to an international audience, promoting its quality and reinforcing the country’s position as a leading cocoa producer. The distribution of chocolate bars serves as a delicious welcome gift and a symbolic representation of Ghanaian hospitality. Throughout Chocolate Week, hotels and restaurants nationwide are encouraged to participate by incorporating chocolate into their menus, offering special dishes and desserts that highlight the versatility of this beloved ingredient. This culinary integration further promotes the consumption of Ghanaian chocolate and showcases its potential in diverse culinary applications. On Valentine’s Day, participating establishments are urged to offer complimentary chocolates to patrons, extending the spirit of love and appreciation that is synonymous with the day.
In summary, the 2025 National Chocolate Week celebration in Ghana is more than just a promotion of chocolate; it’s a celebration of national identity, economic empowerment, and the rich cultural heritage surrounding cocoa. The thoughtfully planned activities, ranging from educational campaigns to festive celebrations, are designed to engage the public, highlight the health benefits of chocolate consumption, and solidify Ghana’s position as a global leader in the cocoa industry. The week-long celebration serves as a platform to showcase the dedication of cocoa farmers, the quality of Ghanaian chocolate, and the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in promoting the growth and sustainability of the cocoa sector. The inclusive nature of the celebration, extending from young patients in hospitals to international travelers, reinforces the message that chocolate is for everyone, symbolizing joy, connection, and the pride of a nation.
