By Jones Anlimah
In a bid to further bolster Ghana’s cocoa industry, the Volta region is set to welcome a new chocolate processing factory soon.
The Volta, Oti and Eastern regional chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries,(AGI), Mr. Dela Gadzanku, disclosed this when he joined the Volta regional minister Dr. Archibald Letsa to distribute packs of chocolate to some pupils and students within the Ho Municipality of the Volta region to celebrate this year’s National Chocolate Day.
The National Chocolate Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the rich heritage of cocoa in Ghana and to encourage the patronage of chocolate and cocoa products among Ghanaians. The Day which falls on 14th February of every year, is also marked across the world as Valentine’s Day to show love to humanity.
As part of the celebrations, the Volta Regional Minister in the company of the Volta, Oti and Eastern regional chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Mr Dela Gadzanku, and officials from the Ho Municipal education directorate distributed packs of chocolate to selected pupils and students in the Municipality.
Some of the schools visited included Avee Roman Catholic School and Klepe Evangelical Presbyterian School.
The Volta regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa encouraged the students to study hard to justify the investment by both government and their guardians and also to help in the development of the region.
The Volta, Oti, and Eastern Regional chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries( AGI), Mr Dela Gadzanku, said talks are far advanced with some potential investors towards establishing a chocolate processing factory in the Volta region. According to him, the factory when realised will signify a significant milestone for the region, as it aligns with the government’s efforts to expand the cocoa value chain and create more opportunities within the industry.
“Volta region is a producer of Cocoa so we have every right to enjoy and take part in the National Chocolate Day. We are speaking with some investors from Africa as a result of the Volta Trade and Investment Fair to establish a chocolate factory in the Volta region. we will start the production of chocolate so that we can utilise the consumption of our locally produced cocoa,” he said.
Mr Gadzanku added that it will also highlight the region’s potential to contribute significantly to Ghana’s cocoa sector. He expressed optimism about the positive impact the factory would have on the local economy, particularly in terms of job creation and revenue generation in the region.”We are hoping that this comes under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area where we will export to other African countries, consume locally and then export to the European countries. So expect a chocolate factory soon no matter how small. we will start with our partners and we will take it from there,” Mr Gadzanku noted.
With the impending establishment of the chocolate processing factory, the Volta region is poised to become a significant player in Ghana’s cocoa sector, further solidifying the nation’s position as a key producer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products on the global stage.