This, he said, would give a further boost to the campaign to patronise Made-in-Ghana goods and help in the country’s industrialisation programme.  Rev. Tackie made the call in an interview with Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday.       

He noted that the Valentine’s Day celebration, which falls on February 14, had been misconstrued by many, especially the youth, to mean sexual promiscuity.  Rev. Tackie said the expression of love should not lead to immorality and other social vices adding that it should rather be used towards economic advancement and national development.

He said using the Day to promote chocolate and cocoa products would be a worthwhile venture since cocoa had been the mainstay of Ghana’s economy.  Rev. Tackie said cocoa contributed to about 50 to 60 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product adding that chocolate and cocoa products had very high nutritious and medicinal values. 

Marking Valentine’s Day as National Chocolate Day is a tribute to the nation’s hardworking cocoa farmers for sustaining Ghana’s economy over the years, he said. Touching on the security of the country, Rev. Tackie condemned the recent cell break at the Kwabenya Police Station leading to the death of the police officer.

He said such incidents created a state of insecurity in the country and called on the Government to resource the police to perform its task of protecting lives and property.