The Ghana Tourism Authority in the Upper East Region is calling on members of the public to show compassion, love and support towards the vulnerable in society.
This call was after officials of the authority led by the Regional Director, Wisdom Ahadzi, visited the Pediatric Ward and Newborn Care unit of the Upper East Regional Hospital. As part of the visit, the GTA used the opportunity to empathize with parents and children who were receiving treatment at the facility, share chocolate and cocoa drink to mark the Chocolate Day.
The National Chocolate Day was instituted 20 years ago to be marked annually on February 14 every year to promote the consumption of chocolate and cocoa products since Ghana is a cocoa producing country.
This year’s edition was under the theme; “eat chocolate, be healthy and grow Ghana” with the sub-theme being “chocolate for all: taste, share and get rich.”
It is on this score that Mr. Ahadzi called for more support, compassion and love to the less privileged.
“In summary, I think that we need to show love more to the less privileged. People are really needy. We saw some of the children and the situation they find themselves in and I would like to take this opportunity to urge people out there to consider places like the hospital for regular support.” He encouraged.
He further stated that the Chocolate Day, which also falls on St. Valentine’s Day, is used as an occasion to promote chocolate and cocoa products.
He believes that sharing chocolate would put a smile on people’s faces.
“We brought it to the children so that they can also feel the love. You know when you’re under this condition; so many things go through your mind. Some of you feel rejected and we think that it would put a smile on their faces.” He stressed.
Samuel Azure Atuba, the Regional Hospital Administrator, expressed gratitude to the regional directorate of the Ghana Tourism Authority as he appealed for many of such visits and support to the facility.
At the Newborn Care Unit, the officials of GTA encountered quadruplets who were born too soon at 25 weeks to farmers, who are already parents to four children.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bertha Gibil, a Pediatrician at the Regional hospital, explained that chocolate is beneficial to the human body including its ability to improve heart health, improves brain function among other benefits.
