E/R:Old Tafo R/C Primary Wins Cocoa Club Ghana Cooking Contest; Stakeholders Call for Value Addition and Sustainability

 

Six primary schools in the Abuakwa North Municipality displayed exceptional creativity and innovation at the Cocoa Club Ghana LBG Cooking Contest held on 12th February, 2026 at the PCG Bethel Church Hall, New Tafo in the Eastern Region.

The participating schools were Kukurantumi R/C Primary, Osiem M/A Saviour B Primary, Old Tafo Akyem R/C Primary, Akyem Tafo CRIG Primary, New Tafo Presby Primary, and OPASS M/A Primary.

After a competitive showdown, Old Tafo Akyem R/C Primary emerged winners with 1,218 points. Akyem Tafo CRIG Primary placed second with 1,098 points, while Kukurantumi R/C Primary secured third position with 1,034 points. OPASS M/A Primary came fourth with 958 points, New Tafo Presby Primary placed fifth with 956 points, and Osiem M/A Saviour B Primary finished sixth with 689 points.

All participating schools received certificates, plaques, and medals. The second runner-up, Kukurantumi R/C Primary, received GH¢1,500, the first runner-up, Akyem Tafo CRIG Primary, took home GH¢2,500, while the overall winner, Old Tafo Akyem R/C Primary, was awarded GH¢4,500.

In his address and interview, the Founder of Cocoa Club Ghana LBG, Dr. Michael Owusu-Manu, underscored cocoa’s global relevance for over 3,000 years and lamented Ghana’s low local consumption despite being a leading producer. He explained that the competition, themed “Inculcating Cocoa into Our Local Diets,” is aimed at encouraging pupils to creatively incorporate cocoa into everyday meals.

According to him, nurturing children’s interest in cocoa at an early stage will not only promote its nutritional and economic value but also position it as a sustainable livelihood option. He stressed that such initiatives could help curb the growing menace of illegal mining, which continues to cause severe environmental destruction, by redirecting the focus of the younger generation towards agriculture, particularly cocoa production and value addition.

The Guest of Honour, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Gyedu-Akoto, Deputy Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) in charge of Coffee, Cashew and Shea, expressed her enthusiasm about the programme. She noted that although Ghana is known globally for cocoa production, local consumption remains minimal, with much of the benefits accruing to foreign countries.

She therefore called for intensified value addition to cocoa to boost the nation’s economy, create jobs, and increase local consumption. Dr. Gyedu-Akoto commended Cocoa Club Ghana LBG for what she described as a forward-thinking initiative that aligns with national efforts to promote cocoa utilization and industrial growth.

Mrs. Grace Adza-Wude, the Municipal Education Director for Abuakwa North, also praised Dr. Michael Owusu-Manu and his team for the initiative. She described the programme as thoughtful and impactful, noting that it is set to promote cocoa usage among pupils while enhancing practical learning.

She further commended Cocoa Club Ghana LBG for providing educational supplies, which she said complement the Directorate’s efforts to ensure quality education in the Municipality. Mrs. Adza-Wude acknowledged her predecessor, Madam Abena Gyamerah, for laying the foundation for the initiative, describing her foresight and thoughtfulness as leadership qualities that have borne fruit.

According to her, the success of the programme is a testament to visionary leadership and an enduring legacy within the Municipality. She therefore called for the sustainability of the cooking contest to ensure continuous impact on the younger generation.

The event reaffirmed Cocoa Club Ghana LBG’s commitment to promoting cocoa education, value addition, environmental sustainability, and increased local consumption, while inspiring pupils to take pride in Ghana’s cocoa heritage.

Credit: Nana Kwasi Asare