Friday, 13th February, 2026
Hon Abla Dzifa Gomashie
Ketu South
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, Happy Chocolate Day. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a Statement on the celebration of National Chocolate Week, which is observed annually culminating in the celebration of the National Chocolate Day, which coincides with Valentine’s Day on 14th February.
Mr Speaker, this important national celebration was instituted to promote the consumption of locally produced chocolate and other chocolate-based products, highlight the health benefits of chocolate, and deepen awareness of cocoa’s contribution to Ghana’s economy, tourism, and national identity. The theme for this important celebration is “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, and Grow Ghana”, with a subtheme, “Experience Ghana, Share the Cocoa Love”.
Mr Speaker, chocolate is a symbol of Ghana’s agricultural excellence, industrial potential, tourism, identity, and national resilience. Ghana remains one of the world’s leading producers of premium quality cocoa, and the crop continues to sustain millions of livelihoods across the agricultural value chain, from our hard-working farmers and transporters to processors, manufacturers, exporters, to retailers.
Mr Speaker, this also forms an important part of the Black Star Experience, our flagship National Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts programme, which seeks to celebrate everything African and especially everything Ghanaian. Chocolate tourism from cocoa farms to chocolate factories and tasting experiences represent an exciting frontier for domestic tourism growth, youth engagement and private sector participation and that is what we are pursuing.
Mr Speaker, beyond consumption, cocoa represents significant opportunities for industrialisation, job creation and entrepreneurship, particularly for the youth. While Ghana is globally recognised for producing high-quality cocoa beans, we must continue to expand the value addition through local processing and chocolate manufacturing. Increasing domestic cocoa processing will create jobs in food technology, packaging, branding, logistics, agribusiness and creative marketing, among others. When Ghanaians choose locally made chocolate, fugu, shea butter, crafts, et cetera, we are supporting Ghanaian farmers, strengthening local manufacturing, promoting tourism experiences, creating jobs for young people and retaining value within our national economy.
Indeed, every piece of Ghana made chocolate consumed is an investment in Ghana’s future. Our challenge as a country now is to ensure we make chocolate affordable and accessible. Chocolate tourism, including factory visits, cocoa farm tours, chocolate tasting events, culinary demonstrations and cultural showcases, offers a unique opportunity to diversify Ghana’s tourism offerings and increase visitor spending. As part of efforts to promote domestic tourism, hotels, restaurants and tourist sites across the country are encouraged during this period to feature chocolate themed menus and experiences. This collaboration between agriculture, tourism and creative arts demonstrates how inter-sector partnerships can drive inclusive economic growth.
But, Mr Speaker, we cannot look at the cocoa sector in isolation. The cocoa sector is affected by other sectors. The communities that plant the cocoa are the same communities at the mercy of galamseyers. We must all rise to the occasion and add our collective voices to the call to end galamsey, to protect our farmland and our water bodies from destruction and ultimately destroy our cocoa farms. In conclusion,
Mr Speaker, the celebration of National Chocolate Week and National Chocolate Day calls on all Ghanaians to firstly, support locally made chocolate and cocoa products, and secondly, promote Ghana as a chocolate and cocoa tourism destination. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, I invite Hon Members of this House and all Ghanaians to celebrate Chocolate Week by sharing of Ghanaian chocolate as a symbol of love, supporting local businesses and sharing the cocoa story of Ghana with the world.
Mr Speaker, I want your permission to make a presentation to you, the Clerk’s Office and the Rt Hon Speaker, and of course, every Member in this Chamber is going to receive their own bite of the GoldenTree chocolate. Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Hon Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe
Ada
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make this Statement on the occasion of 14 February, which falls on Saturday, Ghana’s National Chocolate Day; a day set aside to celebrate one of our most valuable natural resources, cocoa, and to promote the consumption of chocolate and other cocoa-based products made in Ghana.
Mr Speaker, National Chocolate Day is not only symbolic, it is strategic. It underscores our collective resolve to move beyond the export of raw cocoa beans to value addition, agro-processing and industrialisation, which remain critical pillars of national development.
In this regard, I wish to commend H.E. President John Dramani Mahama and his Government for the renewed commitment towards industrialisation, particularly policies aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, supporting agro-processing industries, the implementation of the 24-hour Economic policy, and positioning Ghana to drive maximum economic benefit from its cocoa sector. These efforts align with our long-standing national aspiration to create jobs, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and build a resilient economy.
Mr Speaker, I urge the Government to continue and deepen this effort, especially by supporting cocoaprocessing companies, the private sector particularly, and expanding markets for finished cocoa products by adding value to our cocoa beans here at home. We will not only increase national revenue, but also empower Ghanaian workers, particularly women entrepreneurs, across the value chain.
Mr Speaker, while National Chocolate Day coincides with Valentine’s Day, it is important that we also take a moment to advise our young people, who form the backbone of our nation’s future. I respectfully encourage the youth in particular to celebrate responsibly and to avoid unprotected sex activities during this period of festivity. Our young people must remain mindful of the fact that they are future leaders with great prospects, not only for themselves but also for their families and for Ghana as a whole. Responsible choices today will safeguard their health, preserve their ambitions and secure their contributions to national development tomorrow.
Mr Speaker, as we enjoy Ghanaian chocolate and celebrate love, in its truest sense, love for the country, responsibility and self-discipline, let us recommit ourselves to building a prosperous, healthy and industrialised Ghana.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Hon Emmanuel Kwaku Boam
Pru-East
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I must commend the makers of the Statements, our Hon Minister and the First Deputy Majority Whip.
Mr Speaker, tomorrow’s celebration, which we are eulogising today, happens to be one of a kind that matters so much in the calendar of this country and the world at large. Inasmuch as we want to celebrate the love that exists between friends and that of lovers, it is also important that we also mark this day as Chocolate Day and the Statements come to confirm it. The theme celebrated this time is to “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy and Grow Ghana”. This is most timely as our farmers of cocoa, which is actually used in the production of chocolate, need to be appreciated and thanked for the good services they do for Mother Ghana.
In fact, it is because we deem them so unique that this day has been set aside to celebrate Chocolate Day. So, I want to use this opportunity to thank the cocoa farmers and tell them the work they do for mother Ghana is equally noticed and that is why today has been set aside to celebrate them. As we have this chocolate, we also want to say “thank you” for the good work they do for us.
Mr Speaker, it is time we looked at how we would make chocolate less expensive, as the first Statement read, indicated. Inasmuch as we want people to patronise chocolate, it is too expensive for ordinary people to patronise, especially when it comes to Pru East, where my constituency is. They see it as having to live some kind of lifestyle to purchase one chocolate. So, to them, chocolate is not a must-have. They would prefer to buy other things than to buy chocolate, but the medicinal and the health benefits that come with chocolate is enormous. I want to seize this opportunity to also add my voice to the Minister, calling for a reduced price when it comes to occasions like this, so that we can share in the love of the whole country.
Also, I want to place emphasis on the fact that when it gets to Valentine’s Day, people prefer to share other things that are promoting love. For instance, I know Ghana AIDS Commission is sharing condoms. The youth today will prefer to share those things. As we are looking at spreading love, let us seize this as an opportunity to buy more chocolate, and then share it among ourselves. I am enjoying the scene here, and as we are doing this, let us share to in our families and constituencies as well.
In conclusion, I want to say that the industrialisation of our produce and making sure that we add value to our cocoa when we produce them is far beyond reach. We want to thank the President that as part of the 24-Hour Economy, we are going to add value to our cocoa beans before we get them out of this country. This will add up, give our youth more jobs to do, and also create an enabling environment for chocolate to be more affordable. This is so that a year by this time we could share chocolates, and then make sure our other Colleagues on the other Side equally get to partake in it.
Thank you very much.
Hon Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh
Bosome Freho
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity.
Mr Speaker, I vividly recall this day, and the Hansards too are here. Today marks the second time we are celebrating World Chocolate Day in this Chamber. I want to commend both Hon Members, particularly the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the First Deputy Majority Whip that made this Statement. There were some profound points that were made in both Statements that I make reference to, with respect. This was said by the Minister, “Chocolate is a symbol of Ghana's agricultural excellence”. Top-notch. I want to associate heavily, with this Statement made by the Minister. The Minister again said, “when Ghanaians choose chocolate, fugu, et cetera they are supporting the Ghanaian farmers”. Another excellent line that I would want to associate with. The First Deputy Chief Whip also said something, that “I urge the Government to continue to deepen the effort, especially supporting cocoa farmers”.
Mr Speaker, this is another Statement made by the First Deputy Minority Whip, which I support. Lastly, Mr Speaker, we cannot celebrate such an important chocolate day without celebrating our farmers, whom through their effort and toils, we are enjoying this cocoa. I come from a cocoa constituency. Virtually everybody in my constituency owns a cocoa farm.
Mr Speaker, my Side of the House rejected the chocolate as a protest against the “haircuts” suffered by cocoa farmers. We cannot enjoy chocolate by cocoa farmers who have experienced haircuts. Mr Speaker, we rejected it and it is a sign of protest against the “haircut” experienced by cocoa farmers. Mr Speaker, it is also important to say that Again, Mr Speaker, a chocolate was given to my Side and we decided that we cannot take the chocolate in protest of the cocoa farmer because the cocoa farmer is not happy. I cannot enjoy a chocolate that cocoa farmers are not happy with.
The cocoa farmers were given all sorts of promises. Just yesterday, before the chocolate day, the cocoa farmers were given a haircut from GH₵3,600 per bag to GH₵2,500, over GH₵1,001. I cannot be jubilating and enjoying cocoa or chocolate on behalf of my cocoa farmers. Even when they see me on screen doing that, they would not be happy with me. So, I want to place on record that my Side, we rejected the chocolate just in protest for the cocoa farmer. We are not taking this chocolate this year because we are not happy with how our Government is giving haircuts to the cocoa farmers.
Mr Speaker, I want to conclude by saying that we cannot have a World Chocolate Day without celebrating the cocoa farmer, protecting the cocoa farmer, or the interests of the cocoa farmer being held in high esteem. It is important that if we want to enjoy the Chocolate Day and promote chocolate, it is important that we look at the welfare of the cocoa farmer that has been neglected by the John Dramani Mahama Government.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon Laadi Ayii Ayamba
Pusiga
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to comment on the Statement ably made by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and my Sister, Hon Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe.
Mr Speaker, for the four terms I have been in Parliament, we have, year in, year out, been making this Statement, and I think it is very important. We all know the importance and benefits of cocoa. We know how much it contributes to our economy and the individuals, especially farmers.
Mr Speaker, it is interesting that we all sat here today and noticed that when the boxes of chocolates were distributed, at one stage, some were sent to our Colleagues at the opposite Side. It was given directly to Hon Jerry Ahmed Shaib because we want to project the use of chocolate. And when Hon Jerry Ahmed Shaib collected it, he even demanded more.
Mr Speaker, I want to state emphatically that he did the best and the right thing. We have also been on that Side; they brought chocolate, distributed it, and we took it in order to make sure that we were all on the same platform. Mr Speaker, we have said so many things year in and year out, about chocolate. But I have always, and I will continue to recommend that, due to the cost of chocolate, which has already been mentioned by some Colleagues that if we could all agree and make a recommendation that at least every pupil or student should have just one bar of chocolate, either every week or every two weeks, it will go a long way to help us.
Mr Speaker, as I am commenting on the Statement, I do not have cocoa in my area but I have the advantage of eating or tasting cocoa. But how many people, especially the students? How many of them, those who would project, those who need to understand? Even some of the farmers who produce cocoa have never eaten chocolate. We need to make concerted effort to make sure that every Ghanaian has a taste of chocolate, and it is very important.
Mr Speaker, even as we are talking about chocolate today, I can assure you that if we say we are bringing chocolate to all MPs, all Parliamentary Service staff, we would have done a very good job. But how many of them have had even a bar each? That is a very big question left to us. There are others that will only see us talk about it, but they have not had it. Why can we not even start from ourselves?
Mr Speaker, when we talk about production and how it can help our economy, it is the local production, and when we engage in local production, jobs will come up, a lot of people will benefit, many people will learn better and even understand the production of chocolate. So, when we talk about resetting and talk about ensuring that our economy grows, and that the 24-Hour Economy actually thrives, we are talking about local production and using our own cocoa beans. We should use our own cocoa beans and ensure that our people work and our farmers benefit from it.
Mr Speaker, I can assure you that if we go into local production seriously, even the price of our cocoa beans will increase and we will not be waiting for anybody to buy cocoa beans from us. So, if we say that it will help the resetting agenda and create more jobs, and for the 24-Hour Economy to thrive, this is what we are saying. Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity and I hope that next year, by this time, when we talk about chocolate, most students and people even in the rural areas will have chocolate to taste.
I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Hon Jerry Ahmed Shaib
Weija-Gbawe
Mr Speaker, I stand first of all to commend the makers of the respective Statements, and to say that I have had the opportunity of benefiting from scholarship from COCOBOD. So, for my secondary school days, I had a full-time scholarship, and this was as a result of the support from the very hard-working cocoa farmers. From Form 1 to Form 5, I did not pay a penny. And let me take this opportunity to say kudos to all cocoa farmers, wherever they find themselves.
But Mr Speaker, what is the current situation? What is happening today? Let me quote from the Statement by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and this was what she said: “Ghana remains one of the world’s leading producers of premium quality cocoa, and the crop continues to sustain millions of livelihoods across the agricultural value chain. From our hard-working farmers and transporters, to processors, manufacturers, exporters, to retailers”.
Mr Speaker, today we are here, and there is nothing to say about the hardworking farmers. Cocoa that used to be sold for about GH₵3,600, has come down to GH₵2,500. Mr Speaker, it is like Hisense, y’atete so sε hu, to wit, it has been reduced to nothing. This is the way we are treating cocoa farmers. Mr Speaker, if you visit cocoa farms, as at yesterday, farmers have started felling cocoa trees,— just because of the announcement that was made yesterday. People have suffered high blood pressures which have culminated into strokes. Ͻmo abɔ ka agu, to wit, they have suffered for nothing.
Mr Speaker, my Colleague on the other Side mentioned my name, you did not allow it. I am a Leader in this House, Mr Speaker, respectfully, when I am talking—Mr Speaker, with all deference to you, when Hajia Ayamba mentioned my name, you did not allow me— Mr Speaker, I was trying to make the point that as a beneficiary—And Mr Speaker, I have evidence. This is the evidence. Come and see the trees, and you should listen to the audio behind it. Ayε critical. That is the evidence, and I can tender that in.
Mr Speaker, as I started saying, cocoa farmers have been the reason for which most of us have attained higher levels of education, and I am one of them. I had the opportunity of benefiting from scholarships from Form 1 to Form 5. Some of us who are seated here may also have been beneficiaries of the same scholarship.
Mr Speaker, today, the promises which were made to cocoa farmers ato nsuom, to wit, it is gone. It is vanished. It is in the water. We do not know what is happening to them, and it is sad that we are here and eulogising chocolate. How do we get the beans to produce the chocolate when the cocoa farmer’s farm is now being turned into galamsey sites? When the cocoa farmer is now suffering serious haircuts from what we call punk to topiojo, now to sakora? And we are here saying that chocolate should be part of the Black Star Experience, when the people who are supposed to benefit from the hard work as put rightly by the Minister are now the people they have come to turn into poor men and women?
Mr Speaker, let me conclude by saying that God should listen to the prayer of each and every cocoa farmer to the extent that they will not suffer from any BP, to the extent that they will not suffer from any stroke, to the extent that for all their hard work, there will be reemergence of a party that can save them, for them to have their cocoa grown and grown in a better environment, so that they can earn proper living, and that it will not be the paltry sum that they are currently receiving. Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for this opportunity.
Hon Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor
South Dayi
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Statement made by the Hon Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to commemorate the day as World Chocolate Day.
Mr Speaker, I have been in this House for about nine years, and every year we do this. But for the first time, we have departed from the terms of the Statement and gone to town. Mr Speaker, I was here when the Government brought a facility agreement to this House, as it were, from the African Development Bank to extend cocoa farms in this country, rehabilitate, irrigate, resurvey them, and treat swollen stool disease. The record will bear me out. The Auditor-General’s report of 2024 will bear me out. There was a US$334 million drawdown from the US$500 million granted. Yet, the cocoa farms were not irrigated, the swollen stool diseases were not treated, the farms were not extended, and new seedlings were not distributed to farmers. The roads that they told us, the cocoa roads that they would do, were not extended to the farms.
Mr Speaker, the end result was that our tonnage in excess of one million metric tonnes dropped to 450,000 metric tonnes as at the end of December 2024. So, the problems the farmers are facing now were the ones Hon Jerry Shaib and his Side left. And while this Government is taking pragmatic, proactive steps to reform the sector, Hon Jerry says we should not celebrate World Chocolate Day or eat chocolate.
Mr Speaker, as my Leader said, we will do everything we can to revitalise the cocoa farms so that the beans that farmers are crying that they do not have markets for, or whose prices are low, will be boosted. So that they can have high prices for their yield. As we speak, the Minister for Finance has given directions that the cocoa farmers be paid. What is the issue? Last year, when the Government increased the prices of cocoa, the Minority said, why did the Government not raise the prices of cocoa in response to the world market price? Today, the Government is fixing cocoa prices in accordance with the world market price. They say they do not know. So, when we increase prices, and it is not according to the world market price, we have a problem. When we adjust prices according to the world market price, they have a problem.
Mr Speaker, we will leave the tangential to the substantive. The issue is that today is World Chocolate Day, and we are being encouraged to celebrate it. We are encouraged to do so because many factories process these chocolates, even in Ghana. Foreigners are encouraged to patronise it so the factories can expand and more jobs can be created. That is what I think we should focus on. We are tying this to our identity, as last Wednesday was declared National Fugu Day. And if we begin to do things like this, it will boost our local factories, create more jobs, and the economy will blossom. So, I want to invite the Minority Side not play politics with everything. When we are confronted with issues that have to do with the national identity, we need to unite and speak to certain factors that will promote our national identity.
Mr Speaker, I want to urge everyone to replicate this in our various constituencies, so that every year we can do this, even in a selected school in our constituencies. I want to thank the Minister for bringing this to the attention of the House. I want to encourage the Hon Minister to encourage institutions under her to do this in their respective regions and districts.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. The politics must end. Thank you
AskParly