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.
Editorial
Decentralisation of student loan scheme way to go
Dear Editor,
It is often said that education is the key to success.
Although there are divided opinions due to various reasons, one can not undermine its importance towards the growth of any country, including Ghana.
Over the years, successive governments have implemented various policies to ensure that every child gets access to quality education at all levels by bearing some of the cost.
We can talk of the Free SHS policy and also the free tertiary education for first year students by the current government.
Also, one way the government supports tertiary students financially is through the student loan scheme where tertiary students apply for loans to support themselves financially and pay when they start working.
It is fair to say that the student loan scheme has been of immense benefit to students who apply and are lucky to have it.
That notwithstanding, a few of my friends I have interacted with have also shared their frustration about the whole application process.
According to them, some students have had to abandon the idea of applying for the loan due to the frustration they encounter while going through the whole application process.
Although I never applied for the loan during my days as a university student, I shared in their pain and frustration.
Tertiary institutions are uniquely positioned to identify ‘needy but brilliant students’ more effectively than any other state institution, and for this reason I am of the view that the student loan scheme should be decentralised, with universities managing the process through a well-constituted board.
Also, the board should be clothed with the responsibility of approving loan requests based on applicants’ demonstrated academic performance and proven financial need.
Such a localised approach, I believe, would make the funds available to the most deserving students promptly and efficiently and also address the bottlenecks associated with the whole loan application process.
Atom,
Sukura
Editorial
Our MPs must show good character
Dear Editor,
I am one of the many Ghanaians that got disappointed over recent happenings in Ghana’s legislative house, Parliament.
It is a house of ‘Honourables’ and on paper, nothing can erase that or take that away from them.
However, they have a lot of work to do if they want Ghanaians to maintain that high respect and regard we have for them.
The behaviour of the Members of Parliament, especially those on the minority NPP at the Vetting Committee left Ghanaians so disappointed in them.
It looks funny sometimes watching how they shoved each other and destroy tables and microphones, properties acquired with the taxpayers money. Clearly, they don’t care how our resources were spent but that is a duty.
Despite the apologies offered, I think members involved in the fracas must wholeheartedly accept responsibility for their actions and together pay for the properties destroyed. For me, that will serve as true remorse.
Sammy Morgan,
Okaikwei
