By Michael Kofi Kenetey
The Eastern Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has marked this year’s National Chocolate Day with inmates of the Ghana Prisons Service at the Koforidua Prisons.
The annual celebration, observed every February 14, aims to promote the consumption of made-in-Ghana chocolate and other cocoa-based products, encourage domestic tourism, and give a healthy and meaningful orientation to Valentine’s Day, popularly known in Ghana as Chocolate Day.
As part of the celebration, staff of the Authority in the Eastern Region distributed assorted chocolates to inmates to demonstrate love and solidarity, assuring them that they remain valued members of society.
Speaking in an interview, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Jones Aruna Nelson, explained that the decision to celebrate the day with inmates was intentional. He reiterated that the Authority chose the prisons this year to show love and remind them that they are all one people with a common destiny.
Mr Nelson noted that this year’s theme, “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy,” highlights the health benefits of cocoa consumption and seeks to strengthen collaboration between the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ghana Prisons Service in promoting national initiatives.
Receiving the chocolates on behalf of the inmates, an officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, DSP Francis Komla Dogbe, expressed appreciation to the Authority for the gesture. He said the visit demonstrates that inmates are not rejected by society and will feel loved and remembered.
Mr Dogbe noted that everyone is a potential prisoner, urging the public to show love, care and support to inmates, who will eventually be reintegrated into society after serving their sentences.
This year’s National Chocolate Day celebration is on the theme “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana,” with the sub-theme “Experience Ghana, Share the Cocoa Love.”
One Response
Another reason to love and respect the country of Ghana. Some awesome soccer (footballers) players, and they actually treat their prisoners like human beings. This would be a hard sell in the USA, regular people would say “Hey, I didn’t get any free chocolate!”