The Eastern Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) this year marked the Chocolate Day celebration at Simpoa Miensa M/A basic school in New Juaben South Municipality with a clarion call on teachers and parents to let children know the importance of cocoa to our economy.
The ceremony which was characterized with an on the spot quiz on how well the kids know the history of Ghana’s cocoa got the Regional Manager of GTA and his staff members mesmerized from the answers given by the students of which majority had not tasted chocolate before.
Staff of GTA who also interacted with the children after sharing cocoa juice and chocolate to them ceased the opportunity to clear some doubts the children had about the importance of cocoa and also educated them on Ghana’s cocoa and how it became a pillar of our economy.
In an interview with Citi News, the Eastern Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourism Authority Frederick Adjei-Rudolph indicated that the time to inculcate into the children the legacy of cocoa and it’s importance to the economy is now by introducing it in their academic syllabus.
“We want to inculcate into the children the habit of chocolate consumption. That is why we chose this group of young kids. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘My Chocolate Experience’ and we could have gone to Koforidua Technical University or any other second cycle institution to do it but we believe that if you want to change the mind set of the human race you should start with children. So that is why we chose these category of children”.
Mr Frederick Adjei-Rudolph who believes teachers must devote some time to educate the kids on cocoa also called for a collaborative engagement between his outfit and the education secretariat to ensure cocoa history and it’s importance becomes an integral part of schools curriculum.
“It should be a deliberate effort from the Ministry of Education and not just a tourism activity but it should even go to the curriculum of our education so that there will be a deliberate effort to talk to children about cocoa–the final value it fetches for farmers and government and the health benefits associated with its consumption. And this should be done holistically between Ghana Education Service and Ministry of Tourism”.
“Kids spent quite some amount of time in schools and from experience what ever they learn in school turns to stick more than what they pick up at home. So teachers should make it an effort and take time to talk to them about the significance of cocoa and let them know and understand our cultural heritage,” he added.
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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku | citinewsroom.com | niikanarku@gmail.com