National Chocolate Day, which falls on February 14, was instituted by the Ministry of Tourism in 2005 under the leadership of Jake Obetebi-Lamptey of blessed memory – the Tourism Minister, and has since become an important event in Ghana’s calendar year.

This year’s National Chocolate Day is under the theme ‘My Chocolate Experience, My holistic Wellbeing’

Jake was of the opinion that February 14, which is celebrated worldwide as Valentine’s Day, was promoting immorality among Ghanaian youth – and decided to channel that energy into gifting loved ones a bar of chocolate to promote the consumption of cocoa-based products.

The move has proved to be a significant one: because even though Ghana is a world leader in the production of cocoa, the raw material base for making chocolate, chocolate is sadly not widely consumed in Ghana.

Hence, to stimulate interest in chocolate because of its numerous health benefits, the late Obetsebi-Lamptey thought it is wise to introduce the consumption of chocolate on ‘Val’s Day’ to stimulate increased its demand domestically.

That foresight has paid off, and 15 years on February 14 is still being celebrated in Ghana as Chocolate Day; a day when Golden Tree Chocolate – the country’s local chocolate brand – sells in large quantities and is consumed widely by Ghanaians.

We at the B&FT believe that as long as Chocolate Day is celebrated in the country, Jake’s name will be imprinted in the minds and hearts of Ghanaians for promoting a national asset. The Good Book says a good name is better than riches, and Jake’s good deed for the nation will long be remembered by his compatriots. At the launch of this year’s event recently, Madam Adelaide Ahwireng – Chairperson of the Ghana Tourism Authority- said it is important for all Ghanaians to promote the consumption of Made in Ghana chocolate and cocoa-based products so as to also position cocoa and the chocolate experience as a strong element in the Ghana tourism experience.

Despite its bad reputation for causing weight-gain, a number of death benefits can be associated with this delicious treat. Although chocolate consumption in excess has long been associated with conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension, it is believed to contain high levels of antioxidants and some studies have suggested chocolate could lower cholesterol levels and prevent memory-decline. And chocolate contains a large number of calories.

With such overwhelming health benefits, consuming more chocolate and creating increased demand for the product cannot be wrong. Let us intensify the promotion in line with the policy of consuming Made-in-Ghana goods.