Chocolate Week was introduced as part of a broader effort to increase local consumption of Cocoa products and highlight Ghana’s leadership in the global Cocoa industry.
The newly-appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company Ltd. (GTDC), Professor Kobby Mensah, is calling for the country to develop a structured approach in valuing its cultural assets – including Cocoa, folklore, festivals and artefacts.
He argues that while Ghana has long benefitted from Cocoa’s economic contributions, it lacks a formalised recognition of its cultural and historical worth.
Prof. Kobby Mensah made the call at the National Chocolate Week launch by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in Accra last week Friday. He lauded efforts of the ministry and GTA in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Cocoa, which remains one of Ghana’s most treasured cultural assets.
Cocoa is more than just an economic product – it is deeply woven into the country’s cultural and historical fabric.
Over the years, Chocolate Week has gained traction, incorporating tourism, business and cultural elements into its celebrations.
By linking tourism with Cocoa promotion, the Ghana Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts aim to create new economic opportunities for local businesses, attract investment and strengthen Ghana’s brand identity on the global stage.
Thus, Prof. Mensah’s advocacy for a structured valuation of Ghana’s cultural assets aligns with broader national and global conversations on heritage conservation and sustainable tourism.
With the tourism sector seeking to diversify beyond traditional attractions, initiatives like Chocolate Week serve as prime examples of how cultural and economic sustainability can go hand in hand.
Strategic approaches to ensure that the country’s heritage assets are not only preserved but also maximised for long-term socio-economic benefits are long overdue. This Paper applauds Prof. Mensah’s advocacy for a structured valuation of Ghana’s cultural assets and preservation of same.
Cocoa is iconic for Ghana, not just in terms of economics but also for its national identity and social history. Cocoa accounts for an average 30 percent of our total export earnings and is the only commodity for which we have 100 percent retention of foreign exchange.
