Hon Abla Dzifa Gomashie
Ketu South

Mr Speaker, thank you very much and I wish you a happy Chocolate and Valentine Day too.

Mr Speaker, Hon Members, today as we mark Valentine Day, also now observed as National Chocolate Day in Ghana, I am honoured to speak on the theme, “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana” and with the guiding subtheme, “Chocolate for All, Taste, Share and Care.”
As we celebrate National Chocolate Day, we are celebrating Ghana's rich cocoa heritage as a vital component of our economy and culture. These themes outlined also underscore the importance of sustaining an ecosystem that promotes growth in our cocoa sector. It also recognises the hard work of our cocoa farmers, processors and all within the supply chain, whose livelihoods encourage healthy lifestyles and drive economic development. We appreciate their production of high-quality chocolate that delights our consumers.

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, the celebration of the National Chocolate Day, was instituted in 2007 by the then Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, the late Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey (may his soul rest in peace) to coincide with the celebration of Valentine’s Day.
In 2021, Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) came up with the idea to extend the chocolate day celebration to a week-long celebration and has been celebrated since its successful launch.

Mr Speaker, the National Chocolate Week is more than just sharing of chocolates; it is a time of fostering unity, national pride, focusing on marketing Ghana and promoting domestic tourism. As we indulge in the sweetness of chocolate today, let us be encouraged to patronise the exquisite flavour of our locally produced chocolate, share its goodness with family and friends, and show care and concern for the communities that cultivate this precious crop. Additionally, let us acknowledge the importance of sustainable cocoa practices, and push for fair trade and social responsibility in the cocoa industry.

Mr Speaker, as part of the activities marking this year’s National Chocolate Week celebrations, each passenger arriving at the Kotoka International Airport will receive a complimentary bar of Golden Tree chocolate. This ‘Chocolate experience’ gesture is to introduce the Ghanaian brand of chocolate to arriving passengers, especially our visitors and tourists. In our show of love as promoted by all Ghanaian cultures, a chocolate drink stand will be mounted at the reception of the Ghana Tourism Authority head office, for all staff and visitors to join the celebration of the National Chocolate Week.
Regional offices of the Ghana Tourism Authority will participate in the National Chocolate Week by visiting the Paediatric Units of their Regional Hospitals with chocolates. The celebrations will be climaxed with a street float and chocolate feast through the principal streets of Accra, ending with a durbar at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
We trust that our stakeholders like COCOBOD, Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) Limited, and other corporate bodies in Ghana will support us in this exciting initiative.

Mr Speaker, the National Chocolate Week and other activities on the tourism events calendar would enhance the appeal of Ghana as a preferred tourist destination providing memorable experiences for both domestic and international tourists.

I, therefore, urge Hon Colleagues to join the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its partners to celebrate the 2025 edition of the National Chocolate Week, which starts today, 14th February. Indeed, the celebration of Chocolate Week is a unique opportunity to show love to friends, family, colleagues, and the disadvantaged, and the perfect gift for the season is chocolate and care.
Ayekoo, thank you, akpe na mi, meda mo ase; to all our cocoa farmers, we appreciate your dedication to cultivating the finest cocoa beans. To our chocolate makers and all involved in the supply chain, we celebrate your creativity and innovation in creating unique products. Let us all embrace the goodness of Ghanaian chocolate, sharing its taste and care with loved ones, while growing Ghana's prosperity.

I have brought a gift for all Members of Parliament, and if it could be brought here Happy National Chocolate Week to all of you. We have cold and warm chocolate drinks out there for all Hon Members to taste as well. I would give it to our Leader, Ms Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, so that all Members can enjoy the chocolate day with us.

I thank you very much for today