News
Consumption of cocoa products boosts immune system-Chief Pharmacist
Cocoa drinks and products can help boost the immune system, Chief Pharmacist at the Cocoa Clinic in Accra, Dr. Edward Amporful, has said .
He explained that taking cocoa drink could help reduce blood clots on the brains especially of COVID patients and promote longevity, adding “cocoa products are natural blood thinners and would help reduce weight and diabetes.”
Dr Amporful, who is chairman of the Cocoa Consumption Committee, made these revelations when he delivered a talk on ‘ why consume cocoa products’ at the opening of Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) Sales Depot at COCOBOD warehouse at Kejabil, in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region, on Thursday.
He indicated that cocoa, a good natural resource base for Ghana, had been a blessing over the years and, therefore, efforts must be made to utilise its potentials for health and longevity needs of the people.
Ghana, he noted, had in the past, pursued value addition programmes to cocoa products, but, it was not doing enough to boost consumption of the products.
Dr Amporful indicated that the European FoodSafety Authority had averaged at least 2.7 kilogrammes cocoa consumption per person dailybut regretted that, Ghana in its entirety was doing just about 50 grammes.
“Fifty grammes is not the way to go. At least 2.7 kilogrammes per person daily, according to European Food Safety Authority. That’s key. Cocoa consumption has a huge consequences for Africa to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area(ACFTA) and increase daily consumption.” he added.
Cocoa products, the Chief Pharmacist mentioned, had vitamins, fats and minerals better than what coffee could provide for a person, noting that but in Ghana, people consumed coffee more than cocoa, a good natural product.”
“It’s a complete food for the morning when you wake up at least take a bar of chocolate and be ready for the day, that’s your breakfast. The beauty of cocoa is that you can add or blend with everything even with your Hausa Koko.” Dr Amporful stressed.
He told the gathering that research had shown that cocoa products could help reduce high bold pressure, stroke in the elderly, increase brain power as well as reduce blood clots and even malaria.
Ghana, he said, was one of the 11 countries reporting high malaria cases but had not focused on cocoa consumption as one important health solution to reduce the burden of the disease on the citizens.
“Even with erectile dysfunction from head to toe, cocoa has more satisfaction and it’s by far ahead of time. We need to do about 5kg daily per person, and we are doing just 50 grammes.” Dr Amporful stated
From Clement Adzei Boye, Kejabil
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
