The Deputy Director of Research at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Michael Ekow Amoah, has stated that increased patronage of cocoa products in Ghana has the potential to reduce unemployment in Ghana.
Speaking at the media launch of this year’s National Chocolate Week celebrations at the Ghana Tourism Authority head office on Friday, February 7, 2025, Mr. Amoah emphasized that chocolate made in Ghana is more than just an export commodity—it is a vehicle for economic empowerment for every Ghanaian. “Promoting cocoa consumption in Ghana can help boost local demand and create a more sustainable market for our cocoa,” he noted.
He highlighted the challenges Ghana faces in the global cocoa market despite being one of the world’s leading cocoa producers. According to him, increased local demand for Ghanaian chocolate could help diversify the market, reduce reliance on global exports, and provide farmers with a more sustainable income.
The COCOBOD executive outlined various economic opportunities that could emerge from higher cocoa consumption, particularly within cocoa-based industries. “This shift could stimulate economic growth by creating opportunities in cocoa-based industries such as chocolate production, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. More jobs will be created in areas such as processing, packaging, marketing, and retailing. Once we consume more, we will create demand for it and, in turn, generate these opportunities to reduce unemployment in Ghana,” he explained.
By: Kobina Baidoo
