The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board, Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo has tasked employees of cocoa processing and buying companies to lead the campaign for the consumption of cocoa locally.

He is of the view that persons who work within the industry, should consume and encourage others to also join in the consumption of cocoa and its related products.

“Consuming cocoa has a lot of health and nutritional benefits and people who work within the industry must consume the produce by improving the cocoa industry”, he stated.

Mr Aidoo said this at an interaction with Management staff of Olam Cocoa at Bunso in the Eastern Region.

The Cocoa processing and licensed buying company is undertaking an annual training programme for its staff.

The COCOBOD CEO stated that local consumption can help boost the industry and the price of the product internationally which has been low in recent times. He indicated that everyone one within is in the known how increased consumption can boost the price and they must live the charge.

Mr Aidoo also revealed that government will soon roll out cocoa consumption as part of the school feeding programme for school children.

“if the children develop the habit of cocoa consumption, we all stand to benefit because they will grow up with the taste for consuming cocoa”, he opined.

He further stated that with the stagnation in consumption at the consuming countries there is the need to develop new markets for cocoa products.

The COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) commended Olam for processing cocoa in Ghana but was quick to urge the company to go beyond primary and secondary processing and venture into tertiary in Ghana.

“Olam we want to eat chocolate produced by you in Ghana”, he said.