The consumption of made-in-Ghana Chocolate is low from the perspective of vendors. A walk through the business district of Accra shows little to virtually no exhibition of locally-made chocolate products in shops ahead of Valentine or Chocolate day on February 14.
This is at variance with government’s declaration of Valentine’s day as ‘Chocolate Day’ to promote local consumption of chocolate.
Traders are of the view that there should be more chocolate manufacturing companies to regulate the hike in prices of the product.
They advised that the sugar free Golden Tree Chocolate, which is produced in Ghana should be on large scale. This is because most people prefer that one.
Chocolate Week was instituted by government on February 14th, 2005 to promote the consumption of locally made chocolate.
However, public interest on this initiative seems to be waning because most traders of the product complain of low patronage.
Other challenges identified are the limited number of producers of cocoa products in the country.
Speaking to GBC NEWS, some traders called on government to find means of establishing companies that can produce enough chocolate on large scale. This, they said can also help to reduce the price of the product.
A section of the public expressed concern about the price of chocolate. According to majority of them, they are interested in the product due to its nutritional value but they are discouraged by the high prices.
The importance of cocoa and for that matter chocolate to the health of humans as well as the growth of the economy cannot be underestimated.
It is therefore hoped that mechanisms are put in place to promote its production ad consumption.
Story By: Hannah Abugri and Comfort Annang
