Editorial
Let’s keep making Val’s/Chocolate Day more engaging for youth
Ghanaians have been eating chocolate and cocoa products since the beginning of time, both as children, youth or adults.
However,the choice to make February 14, which is Valentine’s Day, a Chocolate Day in Ghana has boosted the urge to consume more made-in-Ghana chocolate and cocoa-products.
Infact,it would be unfair to commend this outstanding initiative without acknowledging its initiators although Ghana is known for producing cocoa.
In collaboration with the Cocoa Processing Company of Ghana, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) launched the activity in 2005.The late Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, who was the Minister of Tourism at the time, came up with the concept as part of the Ghana@50 celebrations.
In contrast to the past, when some of the youth engaged in promiscuity, Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey will always be remembered for introducing Chocolate Day on Valentine’s Day, which has brought more dignity to the Day’s celebration.
It would also be appropriate to honour Tetteh Quarshie, a Ghanaian blacksmith who imported cocoa beans from the island of Fernando Po (now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea) to Ghana in 1898.
Since cocoa has historically contributed significantly to Ghana’s economic prosperity, it is wise to recognise the farmers who grow this esteemed product and turn it into the delicious treat that delights millions of people across the world.
More interestingly, Ghanaians and other citizens have made a conscious effort to share chocolate and cocoa productswith their loved ones on Valentine’s Day since the introduction of Chocolate Day in 2005. This has helped to promote Ghanaian chocolate to the international community.
Itis also wonderful that COCOBOD and GTA expanded the celebration from a single day to a week-long event in 2021, and it has been well-run ever since.
The Spectator is pleased to report that the GTA, in partnership with COCOBOD and the CocoaProcessing Company, has planned a variety of events to commemorate this year’s National Chocolate Week, which began on February 3rd and ended yesterday, February 14th, 2025.
Among the events were visits to churches, the Chief Imam, cocoa communities, exhibitions andspending time with schoolchildren. Other events include a durbar with stakeholders, a chocolate feast, a street float, regional involvement, and yesterday’s chocolate experience at the Kotoka International Airport.
With the theme “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana” and the sub-theme “Chocolate for all: taste, share, and care,” the events engaged the youth and increased awareness of the health advantages of chocolate consumption.
The Spectator suggests that the engaging, enjoyable, educative, and unforgettable activities be sustained and, if possible elevated. Let’s keep making Valentine’s/Chocolate Day more engaging for the youth.
Yesterday was the International Day of Families (IDF), a global celebration of families and their significance that aims to increase awareness of social and economic challenges.
Every year on May 15, the United Nations observes IDF, a day that emphasises the value of families in social development and advocates for family-friendly legislation.
The UN General Assembly created the Day in 1993 to bring attention to economic, demographic, and social issues that impact families, such as urbanization, digital transformation, and climate change.
Because of this, the government, local communities, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) utilise this day to advocate for family-oriented policies like childcare and financial assistance to strengthen communities and advance health and education.
Children must live in a positive home setting that offers affection, love, care, support, pleasant relationships, discipline, and fairness since they are vulnerable and require assistance in a variety of ways.
In support of this year’s theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” The Spectator thinks that providing this supportive atmosphere for children will help advance their wellbeing.
In the meantime, today, May 16, is the “International Day of Living Together in Peace,” which aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in variety and differences, in order to create a sustainable world of harmony, solidarity, and peace.
This year’s theme, “Living Together in Peace: Building Trust through Dialogue, Inclusion and Reconciliation,” is appropriate since the day serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to promote compassion, understanding, and connection despite differences.
“Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect, and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way,” according to UNESCO.
In order for peace to prevail, individuals must choose to listen to and uphold the dignity of those whose experiences, opinions, and histories may differ from their own. We must recognize that coexisting peacefully is a practical endeavour rather than an abstract one. And in order for peace to prevail, individuals must decide to pay attention and uphold the dignity of those whose backgrounds, experiences, and opinions may differ from their own.
Respecting people’s opinions is important because it fosters trust and improves relationships. After a quarrel, most people find it hard to make amends, but The Spectator encourages people to talk, which is one approach to mend broken relationships. Tensions are reduced and the circumstances for peace are established through dialogue.
Each of us has a part to play in creating peaceful environments therefore as the theme draws attention to the daily work of peace in diplomacy, in institutions, families, schools, workplaces, communities, places of worship, and public life, let us uphold peace in high regard.
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern about the uncertainty facing many National Service personnel after completing their mandatory service.
Every year thousands of young graduates are posted to various institutions across the country where they contribute significantly to productivity and service delivery.
Unfortunately, after their service period, many are left unemployed despite demonstrating competence, dedication, and commitment to duty.
In many offices, National Service personnel perform the same responsibilities as permanent staff and in some cases help reduce workload pressures.
It is therefore discouraging that after gaining practical experience and contributing to national development, they are often asked to leave without any opportunity for permanent employment.
This situation has contributed to rising unemployment and frustration among the youth.
I would like to appeal to the government, public institutions, and private organisations to consider retaining hardworking National Service personnel whenever vacancies arise.
Creating a clear pathway for permanent employment after service would motivate young graduates to give off their best and also help reduce graduate unemployment in the country.
Eugene Ampiaw
Mamprobi-Camara.
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