We Must Eat More Cocoa Products – J.B. Aidoo

Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has explained the need for Ghanaians to consume more cocoa products for both its health and economic benefits.

He has said all stakeholders ought to work with a concerted effort and a sense of urgency to reverse the perception among a majority of Ghanaians that chocolate, a major product of cocoa is a luxury product for the wealthy.

Mr. Aidoo also described as unfortunate the fact that though Ghana is a major cocoa producing country, it consumes less cocoa that other non- producing countries.

“Ghana as a cocoa producing country consumes less; we produce for other countries to consume and take advantage of the countless health benefits of cocoa. It is about time we as Ghanaians consumed more of our cocoa”, Mr. Aidoo noted in his address on Monday when he launched the 2019 Cocoa Consumption Campaign.

He explained further that though the Cocoa Consumption Campaign, during the last two years has increased cocoa consumption among Ghanaians; there is still a vast room for improvement.

Mr. Aidoo said the per capita consumption of cocoa which hitherto stood at 0.5kg has improved to about 0.52kg as a result of the support stakeholders have given to the campaign.

He however  opined  that the situation where a producing country like Ghana has a lower consumption rate as compared to some countries in Europe which have between 5kg-11kg per capita consumption should be improved upon.

Health Benefits

The COCOBOD Chief Executive said scientific research into the properties of cocoa and its effects on the human body have long found that, regular consumers of cocoa and cocoa products derive several health benefits from the product.

These, he said,  includes an improvements in blood flow to the brain, boosting brain function; it helps reduce the growth of plaque and prevents tooth decay in children and adults; tryptophan in cocoa facilitates a positive mood, keeps the individual happy and relieves stress; and the presence of a high percentage of antioxidant named flavonoids in cocoa helps improve cardiovascular health in children and adults.

COCOBOD Engages 22 Banks

Mr.  Joseph Boahen Aidoo also expressed hope that COCOBOD will be able to raise the needed funds to finance the 2019/2020 crop season through a syndicated loan.

He told Citi FM that COCOBOD and other relevant state institutions had a successful roadshow last week after engaging twenty-two banks abroad to raise about 1.3 billion dollars.

“We had 22 banks appearing at the roadshow who have shown interest to syndicate. So we are waiting to see how much they are going to offer.”