In a vibrant celebration of both romance and national pride, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged Ghanaians to redefine Valentine’s Day as a moment of economic patriotism.

In a heartfelt address shared on Saturday, 14th February 2026, the Vice President encouraged the public to swap foreign confectionery for the rich, artisanal flavours of locally produced Ghanaian chocolate.

The message, which coincided with the national observation of National Chocolate Day, sought to bridge the gap between individual expressions of affection and the broader goal of strengthening the domestic cocoa value chain.

Taking to her official social media platforms, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang framed the day as more than just a romantic milestone.

She highlighted the global prestige of Ghana’s cocoa, noting that the country's "premium" status in the international market should be a source of daily pride and celebration for every citizen.

“Happy Chocolate Day and Happy Valentine’s Day to all Ghanaians. Today, as we celebrate love, kindness, and appreciation, let us also honour one of Ghana’s finest gifts to the world: our premium cocoa and chocolate,” she stated.

The Vice President’s call comes at a time when the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is aggressively promoting domestic consumption to buffer against the volatility of international commodity prices.

Currently, while Ghana is the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa beans, only a fraction of the crop is processed into finished chocolate within its borders—a trend the administration is keen to reverse.

Beyond the sentiments of kindness and appreciation, the Vice President’s message carried a distinct economic directive.

She argued that the act of gift-giving on Valentine’s Day provides a unique opportunity to inject capital directly into the pockets of local entrepreneurs, from small-scale chocolatiers in East Legon to the large-scale factories in Tema.

“There is no sweeter way to mark this day than by choosing made-in-Ghana chocolate proudly. Share love. Share chocolate. Choose Ghana,” she urged.

The "Choose Ghana" campaign has seen a surge in 2026, with local brands like Fairafric, Niche, and Cocobytes (which recently featured in high-end gift sets) becoming the preferred choice for discerning lovers and corporate gift hampers.