The Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has distributed bars of chocolate to inmates of the Ekuasi Prison Camp in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis as part of activities marking this year’s National Chocolate Day.
The gesture formed part of efforts to put smiles on the faces of inmates and to show love to the underprivileged in society through the sharing of cocoa-based products.
The celebration, held in collaboration with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Ghana Cocoa Processing Company, was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
This year’s event was on the theme: “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana,” with the sub-theme: “Experience Ghana and Share the Cocoa Love.”
Mr Henry Yeledour, Western Regional Director of the GTA, said the Authority celebrates National Chocolate Day annually on February 14 to demonstrate love to the less privileged by offering chocolates and other cocoa-based products.
He said the theme underscored the medicinal and nutritional value of Ghana’s cocoa products.
Mr Yeledour noted that all 16 regional offices of the GTA were commemorating the Day with prison inmates across the country to remind them that they had not been forgotten.
“We know on a day like this, many people go to the beaches, pubs and other places to celebrate, but for the inmates, because they are within these four walls, they do not get the privilege to mingle with their families. So we reached out to show them love and to assure them that there are others looking out for them,” he said.
Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Odei Forson, Officer-in-Charge of the Ekuasi Prison Camp, who received the items on behalf of the inmates, expressed appreciation to the GTA for the gesture.
He said the donation represented more than chocolate; it symbolised hope for the inmates.
“Without you, we wouldn’t have celebrated this day,” he added.
National Chocolate Day is celebrated annually to promote Ghana’s unique cocoa products, position the country as a preferred destination for cocoa-based tourism, and appreciate the contributions of stakeholders in the cocoa value chain.
