The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Abla Dzifa Gomashie has urged Ghanaians to deepen the consumption of locally produced chocolate and strengthen value addition in the cocoa sector as part of efforts to grow the economy, create jobs, and promote tourism.

She made the call in Parliament during a statement to mark this year’s National Chocolate Week, which climaxes on National Chocolate Day today, February 14, coinciding with Valentine’s Day.

The celebration, themed “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, and Grow Ghana,” with the sub-theme “Experience Ghana, Share the Cocoa Love,” is aimed at promoting Ghanaian-made chocolate, highlighting the health benefits of cocoa, and increasing public awareness of cocoa’s contribution to the national economy and tourism.

Delivering the statement, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Abla Dzifa Gomashie described chocolate as a symbol of Ghana’s agricultural excellence, industrial potential, and national identity, noting that Ghana remains one of the world’s leading producers of premium-quality cocoa.

The minister explained that cocoa continues to support millions of livelihoods across the value chain—from farmers and transporters to processors, manufacturers, exporters, and retailers.

It further highlighted chocolate tourism as an emerging opportunity to boost domestic tourism, youth engagement, and private sector participation. Activities such as cocoa farm tours, factory visits, chocolate tasting events, and cultural showcases were identified as avenues to diversify Ghana’s tourism offerings and increase visitor spending. The statement also emphasized the need for increased local processing of cocoa into finished products, noting that expanded value addition would create employment opportunities in food technology, packaging, branding, logistics, agribusiness, and creative marketing, particularly for young people.

However, the minister cautioned that the cocoa sector cannot thrive in isolation, pointing to the destructive impact of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, on cocoa-growing communities. It called for collective action to protect farmlands and water bodies to safeguard the future of the cocoa industry.

As part of the celebration, hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites across the country have been encouraged to feature chocolate-themed menus and experiences, reinforcing collaboration between agriculture, tourism, and the creative arts.

The minister therefore called on Ghanaians to support locally made chocolate and cocoa products to promote Ghana as a chocolate and cocoa tourism destination.