Amporful pharmacist calls for national campaign to introduce cocoa into children's menu

General News of Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Source: Kenneth Osei Ampofo

2019-02-19

Dr. Edward O. Amporful, a pharmacist at the Ghana Cocoa Board cocoa clinic in Accra, called for a national campaign to introduce cocoa into the children's menu at an early age.

He said that arousing children's interest in cocoa consumption was the appropriate way to develop and maintain their interest in cocoa products.

He called when he addressed children at the monthly entertainment show for children dubbed Fun World at the National Theater in Accra.

According to Dr. Amporful, cocoa-based products, in particular, dark chocolate is full of nutrients and health benefits and helps reduce some health problems. He noted that research has shown that cocoa consumption tends to improve the cognitive abilities of consumers, among others.

He said that research in the United States shows that most of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates in the world come from countries with a long history of high cocoa consumption.

Mr. Amporful emphasized that Ghana's production of high-quality cocoa and cocoa products for the global market can not be overstated.

"Ghana's cocoa is the standard for measuring cocoa in the world, making it a model to emulate for others. So let's eat the best quality we produce for good health and nutritional benefits, "he added.

He noted, however, that Ghana is the world's largest producer of cocoa, with an average consumption per capita of 5 grams and much lower than that of the western world (8 kg per capita).

At the end of his presentation, the children who answered the cocoa questions were rewarded with chocolate bars.