Activities marking the Valentine’s Day commemoration have out-shinned the National Chocolate Day celebration instituted in 2007 to promote made in Ghana chocolate and cocoa products.
The euphoria associated with the Chocolate Day six years ago appeared to have died down considerably, partly due to poor publicity, giving way for the return of Valentine activities.
However, a visit to the Cocoa House retail shop on Friday at about 10:00 hours by the Ghana News Agency revealed customers in long winding queues in a desperate desire to buy chocolates for their loved ones.
The situation led to the shortage of some types of chocolates and at about 13:00 hours the long queue had reduced, while some customers were seen sitting in pairs sipping chocolate drinks.
The pressure could not match the Cocoa Processing Company announcement that it had increased chocolate production for the National Chocolate / Valentine Day celebration from 7,000 to 8,000 cartons.
Ms Serwah Nyarko, a customer at the Cocoa House retail shop said though she was fully aware of the Chocolate Day, it has been boring with little activities, due to the poor publicity given it.
She appealed to the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to be proactive and organise activities appealing enough to hype the chocolate day and more so consider involving school children and market women in the activities.
Contrary to valentine day’s activities, there were a number of beach performances, parties and wedding ceremonies marking the day.
About 30 couples were engaged in a mass wedding at the Accra International Conference Centre, organised by Happy FM.
In 2007, the Ghana Tourism Authority, under the tutelage of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, re-designated February 14 as Chocolate Day to promote made in Ghana chocolate and other cocoa products.
Re-branding the Day was meant to reduce illicit and indiscriminate sex, robbery, teenage pregnancy and other social vices associated with the celebration of the day, while at the same time trying to promote the consumption of chocolate and cocoa products.