Cocoa will receive a boost to bring the declining industry back to life when chocolate manufacturers start the production of a newly developed health chocolate in commercial quantities.

European researchers developed the new health chocolate after an extensive scientific work that shows that chocolate and other fatty foods can help to reduce heart problems, which is a major killer in the developed world. The experts say eating fish four times a week has measurable benefits to the body system. However because chocolate forms part of the eating habits of Europeans it is the most ideal vehicle to get fish oil into the body system. Both dietitians and doctors have agreed that if fish oil is put in a bar of chocolate and made to taste nice, that would really make an impact on health.

The cocoa industry in Ghana suffered a severe set back as the world market price for the crop plummeted to record low levels. Within three weeks this month, the price of cocoa fluctuated from $731 to $724 per tonne.

Cocoa contributes more than 13% of Ghana's agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 40% of the export earnings and plays an important role in the country's accelerated growth strategy.

The government's policy on cocoa production among others lays emphasis on adding value to the beans through the processing of the crop into a range of products before export.

When the production of health chocolate bars becomes a reality in Ghana, more people will eat chocolate because of the health benefits. This will create more business opportunities for chocolate manufacturing companies especially local cocoa processors who may take advantage of the new technology and reach out to markets in Africa and beyond where a new generation of consumers will need the laced chocolate bars on health grounds.