Valentine’s Day: Chocolate lovers flood COCOBOD
By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN & Zeenatu ABUBAKAR, Accra
Numerous cocoa brands and processors, showcasing their products at the Cocoa House in Accra, have expressed gratitude for the valuable exposure gained during the exhibition.
Participants emphasized that the platform not only allowed them to display their diverse products, including chocolate, cocoa powder, drinks, shower gel, soap, scrub, and cocoa-based spices, but also provided significant mileage for their companies.
Among the featured cocoa brands were Allsave Chocolate Enterprise, Prime Cocoa Products Ltd, Darling Wings Farm, Cobeanz, Fairafric Ghana Ltd, and more.
The decision to brand the event as National Chocolate Day received positive feedback from exhibitors, who noted its effectiveness in raising awareness and promoting cocoa and chocolate consumption in Ghana.
Comfort Bekoe Appiah from Prime Cocoa Products Ltd shared her satisfaction, stating, “This is our company’s third time participating in the exhibition, and it has proven beneficial over the years. We now have many customers, and brand awareness has increased significantly.”
Marketing promoter Samuel Okule of Allsave Chocolate Enterprise echoed this sentiment, highlighting the exhibition’s rewards over the three years of their participation.
He commended COCOBOD for providing the exhibition space without charging any fees and encouraged more such initiatives.
Exhibitors suggested that National Chocolate Day should be celebrated quarterly, fostering a continuous habit of patronizing cocoa products among citizens.
Addressing concerns about the perceived high cost of chocolate, exhibitors explained the intricacies involved in packaging and tax payments, emphasizing the need for understanding from customers.
Samuel Okule advocated for moderate chocolate prices, emphasizing the health benefits and encouraging regular consumption.
“It helps the heart, and the health aspects need to be taken into consideration. When your child is going to school, give them cocoa drink,” Okule advised.
Comfort Bekoe Appiah urged Ghanaians to consume more chocolate and cocoa products, citing health benefits such as lower blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart-related issues.
The cocoa industry hopes that increased awareness will lead to a broader appreciation of these products among the population.
