The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has taken its 2026 Chocolate Month celebration beyond the streets and tourist centres, reaching inmates at the Accra Central Charge Office as part of a nationwide outreach effort.
Officials from the Greater Accra Regional Office of the Authority distributed chocolate bars to inmates, marking February — designated as “Chocolate Month” — with a message of inclusion, health and national pride.
Greater Accra Regional Director of the GTA, Roberta Dawson Amoah, explained that the initiative aims to promote the consumption of cocoa products while highlighting their economic and health benefits to the country.
She noted that this year’s theme, “Eat Cocoa, Stay Healthy and Grow Ghana,” with the sub-theme “Experience Ghana, Share the Cocoa Love,” underscores the link between cocoa consumption, personal wellbeing and national development.
According to Mrs Amoah, the Authority deliberately chose inmates as its 2026 focus group to ensure that the celebration reached all segments of society.
“Every year, we have a target group that we share with. This year, we just decided to be with the inmates, and it is nationwide, so every region is celebrating the moment with inmates in their jurisdiction,” she said.
Beyond distributing chocolate, the team held a praise session with the inmates, who were described as being in good spirits following the engagement. Mrs Amoah emphasised that the gesture was intended to remind inmates that they remain valued members of society.
“We want to tell them that no matter where they find themselves today, they are not forgotten; they are loved,” she stated.
She further highlighted the health benefits of cocoa and chocolate, especially for individuals in stressful environments, noting their potential to boost immunity and improve emotional wellbeing.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the inmates, Chief Inspector Francis Dunu, Station Officer at the facility, conveyed appreciation on behalf of the Commander, Superintendent Vera Ayensu.
“On behalf of the Commander, we say thank you for giving this love to our inmates. In fact, we were not expecting it. May God bless you. We hope that you come every year to visit us,” he said.
The GTA says the outreach forms part of broader efforts to deepen public awareness about Ghana’s cocoa industry while fostering a spirit of unity and compassion during Chocolate Month.
