The country’s average consumption of cocoa and chocolate products increased significantly from an average of 0.5 kiogramme to 1.0 kilogramme per capita.

This the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) described as a huge milestone considering the low level of consumption in the past.

Speaking to inaugurate the National Planning Committee for the promotion of cocoa consumption in the country, Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, said the country needs to consume more cocoa locally to generate more value for cocoa farmers.

“The inauguration of the committee is crucial in Ghana COCOBOD’s quest to increase consumption to about 5 kilogrammes a year in the near future”

“With the world average chocolate consumption estimated at 0.9 kilogramme per capita a year, Ghana is now consuming 1 kilogramme per capita a year after a series of campaigns to get the products in various local institutions”, he added.

The Chief Executive of COCOBOD therefore said this significant jump in consumption will boost the fortunes of cocoa farmers in the near future.

“The average in Europe is 5 kilogrammes, Switzerland is 11kg, Germany is 9.1kg and Estonia 8.3 kg. The whole of Africa Consumption is 0.5kg and Ghana is now 1.0kg. We believe that it will be prudent for us to consume more domestically, so that our farmers can get more premiums and value on the products”.

“We produce the products and pride ourselves as the second largest producer, so we must be able to consume in order to encourage others as well’ he noted.

The nine member committee chaired by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, is to ensure adequate promotion of cocoa products and domestic consumption in all sectors of the economy.

Mr. Boafo assured that all efforts will be made to ensure chocolate products are available for local consumption.

The terms of reference for the committee includes developing a strategy document for the generic promotion of cocoa consumption in the country, develop programmes and activities that will create and increase national awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of cocoa among others.