She noted that the programme had helped to reshape the celebration of Valentine’s Day in Ghana by leveraging chocolate as a symbol of love, providing a longer period of engagement, and increased awareness.

Mrs Houadjeto said as local consumption of Ghanaian chocolate was being promoted, it would enhance domestic tourism, social cohesion and create jobs for the youth.

She stated that “cocoa is a stress reliever, helps to reduce blood pressure, improves the blood flow to the brain and boosts brain function, acts as a stimulant, and a natural aphrodisiac.”

She called on stakeholders in the entire value chain to continue to promote the consumption of chocolate and cocoa-based products, adding: “It must be continually nurtured and promoted to attract both national and international attention and participation.”

By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu

The MTN Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the East­ern Regional Blood Bank, has organised the annual blood donation exercise to mark the Valentine’s Day celebration.

The exercise took place at the Manya Krobo Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, and was on the theme: ‘Safe blood saves lives.’

The student donors were taken through a health checklist, including age, blood level, and weight to ensure health safety before donation, and after which they were provided with milk, milo, and other foods to replen­ish their blood.

Mr Ransford Gyan, the MTN Gha­na Sales Manager for Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions, told the Ghana News Agency that the foundation had a target of about 6000 people partaking in the blood donation exercise across the 16 regions.

“Our belief is that we will get the target set this year to assist in easing the country’s blood shortage. Donat­ing blood is a benevolent act of soli­darity, why don’t you join the effort and help save lives,” he quizzed.

He said at the initial stage of the blood donation exercise introduced by the MTN Ghana Foundation, it was limited to MTN staff but now opened up to the society.

Ms Philomina Quayson, Eastern Re­gional Blood Bank Donor Organiser at the Regional Hospital, said, “Blood is an essential commodity in the hos­pital because it helps patients who have accidents, surgeries, or medical conditions.

So, I encourage individuals to save lives by visiting any government hospi­tals to donate blood.”

She said persons 17 years and above, who are free from health con­ditions such as sickle cell and hyper­tension could donate.

She urged the public to donate blood as it was good and safe.

Master Kingsley Nartey, a student of Manya Krobo Senior High School, said, “Today is my first time to participate in this exercise and I was panicking but after going through the process­es, I realised it was not painful and scary.” —GNA