Hon Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Techiman North

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I rise to make a Statement to commemorate the celebration of the 2025 National Chocolate Day as the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.

Mr Speaker, on this auspicious day, I wish to congratulate our gallant cocoa farmers, cocoa processors, and value chain actors within the industry. Let me first pay homage to our ancestors. Tetteh Quarshie’s humble act of bringing cocoa to Ghana, laid the foundation for what would become one of the nation's most vital industries, earning Ghana substantial foreign exchange before and after independence. Earnings from cocoa trade has clothed our children, built our schools, and fueled our progress. It has also been a single symbol of Ghana’s resilience, ingenuity, and unity. His legacy lives on, as cocoa remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy and a symbol of agricultural prowess.

Mr Speaker, the theme for the celebration of National Chocolate Day over the past four years has been “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana”, with a sub theme of, “Chocolate for All, Taste, Share, and Care”. Twenty years ago, the Ministry of Tourism instituted the “National Chocolate Day” to create awareness of the health benefits of cocoa-based products. Since then, the country has carried on this tradition of bringing to the fore the economic and health benefits of cocoa and chocolate.

On this day, we celebrate love using a product of pride coming from our homeland, the Ghanaian chocolate. Chocolate, like love, is universal, sweet, transformative, and rooted in the heart. Using chocolate as a theme product for this day has been carefully crafted not only for considering its use in the expression of love, but most importantly, its health impact on, especially the heart, which is also in itself a symbol of love.

Mr Speaker, the impact of chocolate on the heart has been confirmed by various research works; it increases heart health. Dark chocolate has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of clotting, and increase blood circulation to the heart; thus, lowering the risk of stroke and death from heart diseases. It also balances the immune system.
Research published by Johns Hopkins Medicine and National Institute of Health indicates that the flavonoids and polyphenols in chocolate help prevent excessive immune activation and reduce oxidative stress. In particular, these bioactive compounds appear to modulate the inflammatory innate response as well as the systemic and intestinal adaptive immune responses, thereby contributing to improved immune homeostasis and reduced overall inflammation. It also combats diabetes.

Mr Speaker, the health needs of chocolate cannot be overemphasised. In view of these health benefits, I would encourage Colleagues to increase their consumption of made-in-Ghana chocolates. I also entreat Hon Members to invest in supporting schools in their constituencies to procure more cocoabased beverages as immune boosters for the children in our schools.

Mr Speaker, as the Minister responsible for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, I am committed to collaborating with the relevant stakeholders within the cocoa value chain to harness the full benefits of cocoa through enhanced value addition and value extension. While the world savours our cocoa, let us embrace the sweetness we cultivate. This day is a call to Ghanaians to eat chocolate. Yes, but also take pride in the hands that grow it, the hearts that process it, and the spirit that makes it unique.

Mr Speaker, we stand firm in our resolve to reset the country through industrialisation by aggressively implementing the rapid industrialisation for jobs as captured in our manifesto. This agenda of the President’s vision of increasing our exports through value addition and value extension will soon be launched by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry. This involves establishing new strategic industries and reviving defunct ones. Therefore, we will facilitate the establishment of cocoa processing factories in cocoa-growing areas.

Mr Speaker, under the Feed the Industry program, Government, through the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, is developing a program that includes revitalising Ghana’s cocoa sector. As committed in our manifesto, the plan includes reintroducing free fertilisers, improved seedlings, and agroinputs to boost yields, restoring efficient management of COCOBOD and prioritising investment in cocoa production over administrative costs. It also aims to combat illegal mining on our cocoa farms, ensure timely funding to prevent smuggling, and promote organic fertilisers. Support for Cocoa Research Institute Ghana (CRIG) to develop resilient cocoa varieties, enhance pest resilience, and “Youth in Cocoa Farming” projects are key components in this project.

Mr Speaker, the plan integrates agroforestry, establishes cocoa colleges, supports women in cocoa farming, and invests in research and market expansion. Additionally, it will promote cocoa farmer welfare through price stabilisation, health care, pensions, livelihood programmes, and educational support to eliminate child labour.

Mr Speaker, according to global chocolate market research in 2024, the global chocolate market size was valued at a whopping US$130.72 billion and is projected to reach US$172.89 billion in 2030. This is a market that has eluded Ghana over the years, and as we celebrate this day, our commitment listed above should give Ghanaians a new ray of hope that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is poised to bringing the cocoa sector out of the doldrums into a new dawn.

I thank you for the opportunity.