Why it must be Ghana’s chocolate, no other
When you talk of Ghana’s chocolate, resistance is futile: just a bite fuels the heart.
Some years passed, I was sent by my brother to get chocolates, a card and perfume for him to send to a special lady on Valentine’s Day.
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After having done that, I realised he had no money to pick a car to deliver the gifts, hence, he subjected both of us to walking from Dansoman to Kaneshie to impress his girlfriend regardless of his financial challenges.
On Valentine’s Day, such commitments abound, although some will see it as perverse.
Val’s Day
I am in anticipation of the National Chocolate Day, celebrated on February 14 yearly. That Day is Valentine’s Day.
But in Ghana, it is a day for lovers to rekindle their love and relationships, in no better way than with chocolates.
Valentine commenced with the early Christian martyr, Valentine, a generous giver whose deeds touched lives, which was acknowledged by Pope Gelasius I, in 500 AD.
The day records a boost in sales of teddy bears, cakes, wines of all classes, pieces of jewellery, flowers, perfumes and chocolates to express love to friends, family and loved ones.
On this day, everybody male or female anticipates to receive from and give to their loved ones.
In 2013, a local online platform carried a news item indicating high pregnancies related to Valentine’s Day.
In the boarding house at school, it was an unhealthy competition among students to prove to mates their worth to their boyfriends; hence, the size of one’s Val’s day card and gifts determined who had the day.
That compelled some students to buy gifts for themselves, for them to feel that they belenged and to enable them to join in the fun of the day, while preventing being referred to as ‘gnashing’.
Chocolate Day
The institution of the National Chocolate Day is to project Ghana’s choclates and ensure healthy choices, while expressing love.
Ghana’s cocoa history is tied to a blacksmith called Tetteh Quarshie, who travelled to a Spanish colony Fernando Po (now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea).
On his return to Ghana after six years, he came with some cocoa beans and planted them.
The cocoa crop, known to mature in three to five years, has been one of the backbones of the country’s economy, with the country featuring as one of the best producers since independence.
Over the years, production of cocoa has dwindled, but Ghana has since kept quality in the production of the beans, although the competition there too is keen.
From cocoa, Ghana processes chocolates in varied shapes, sizes, tastes, flavours and forms ranging from 73 per cent dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, fruit-flavoured chocolate, mocha latte (coffee flavour) chocolate, and bissap (hibiscus flavour) chocolate, with almonds, sea salt and coconut flavouring added upon request.
The Cocoa Marketing Company, the state-owned cocoa exporter, has placed on our shelves the Golden Tree, Kingsbite premium cocoa bar made without any blending, Akuafo bar, Coffee Choc, Oranco, Portem Nut, Portem Pride, and Tetteh Quarshie.
Chocolates
Chocolates contains antioxidants that help the body to repair and prevent cells from free radical damage. It reduces blood pressure, and it is mainly good for cardiovascular health, with the added benefit of spicing up relationships.
According to the American heart foundation, dark chocolates are high in flavonoids, particularly a subtype called flavanols that is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Some studies suggest that chocolate or cocoa consumption is associated with a lower risk of insulin resistance and high blood pressure in adults.
As we mark the National Chocolate Day on Monday, February 14, 2022, the theme: “Eat chocolate, stay healthy, grow Ghana” we must all endeavour to join in the week-long National Chocolate Day celebration which starts with a Health Walk at the Aburi Mountains.
Other activities are the Poetry Night, Cook-off, Old School Night, Presentation to the Chief Imam at Kanda, School tour in selected basic schools, Family Day, Health Talk in selected churches, Chocolate Day at Dubai Expo, Float with Accra City Tour and a movie premiere (Tetteh Quarshie) at the Silver Bird cinema.
The celebration encourages Ghanaians to consume more chocolates often for health, love and prosperity.
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture wishes all a Happy Chocolate Day.