As the nation marked National Chocolate Day on Saturday, February 14, the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) urged stakeholders to support initiatives to make domestic cocoa products more competitive in the global market.

Concluding its Chocolate Week Celebration in Accra on Friday, the Authority reiterated its commitment to creating opportunities for companies in the cocoa value chain to export, create jobs, and boost national income.

The week-long celebration, on the theme “Celebrating Ghana’s Cocoa Heritage the Free Zones Way: Taste, Learn and Enjoy,” included a product exhibition and interactive sessions held at the organisation's forecourt.

It brought together local enterprises and manufacturers of cocoa products, with management, staff, and guests sampling a variety of indigenous chocolates.

Mr Musa Sibiri Hamidu, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Finance and Administration, GFZA, said the activities were to celebrate the Authority's achievements in the cocoa sector and to recognise the contributions of processing companies and enterprises within the Free Zones programme.

Thanking stakeholders for their contributions, he lauded the impact of industries that continued to add value to raw cocoa, thereby augmenting the country’s income and exports.

Mr Lateef Appau Wiredu, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Operations), commended stakeholders for their support of the various activities during the celebration.

“Cocoa remains one of the pillars of our national economy, and through the Free Zones programme, we continue to create opportunities for value addition, export growth, job creation, and industrial transformation,” he said.

“Through the exhibition, tour, and chocolate tasting events, we are reminded of the relevance of our work in promoting the growth of these companies. We are also reminded that cocoa is a core part of our heritage, culture and a hallmark of our global competitiveness.”

“As we leave here, may we carry forward the message that value addition is key to Ghana’s economic future. Let us continue to champion domestic industrial growth and support initiatives that position Ghana strongly on the global market.”

Ahead of the exhibition, the GFZA staff toured cocoa product manufacturing companies and were served hot chocolate throughout the week.

Product Exhibitors comprised the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, and HPW.

As part of the day’s activities, the GFZA staff participated in a “Paint-and-Sip” competition, showcasing their talent and creativity across various art forms.

National Chocolate Day is observed annually on February 14 to promote local cocoa consumption, industry growth, and national pride.