The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has concluded its National Chocolate Week 2026 celebrations, held as part of activities leading to National Chocolate Day on 14 February.
The week not only celebrated Ghana’s rich cocoa heritage but also highlighted opportunities within the cocoa and chocolate sector under the Free Zones Scheme.
Through the Free Zones Scheme, GFZA promotes local cocoa processing as a key driver of export growth, job creation, and industrial development.
Enterprises benefit from incentives such as duty-free importation of machinery and inputs, corporate tax holidays, unrestricted repatriation of profits, streamlined licensing processes, and dedicated investor facilitation, positioning Ghana as an attractive destination for export-oriented cocoa-processing investment.
As of January 2026, GFZA had licensed twenty cocoa processing companies producing a wide range of products, including cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, cocoa powder, confectionery, beverages, skincare inputs, and innovative by-products such as cocoa pulp juice.
In 2025 alone, these companies recorded cumulative export earnings of approximately $1.8 billion and provided direct employment to nearly 1,900 Ghanaians, while creating additional opportunities across packaging, logistics, catering, and farming communities.
The week’s theme, ‘Celebrating Ghana’s Cocoa Heritage the Free Zones Way: Taste, Learn and Enjoy,’ emphasised both national pride and economic purpose.
Ghana remains a leading global cocoa producer, contributing about 20 to 25 percent of global output, with the greatest opportunities lying in value addition, branding, and export—areas where GFZA plays a pivotal role.
The celebrations included free chocolate drinks for staff, an enterprise engagement visit to a cocoa processing company, and a showcase exhibition featuring products from participating Free Zones enterprises.
GFZA acknowledged the exhibitors and sponsors for their invaluable support, including Cocoa Processing Company, Plot Enterprise, Niche Cocoa, Cargill, Koa Impact, Olam Ghana (OFI), HPW Fresh & Dry, FairAfrique, and KOA Impact, who demonstrated innovation through products such as chocolate-coated nuts and cocoa pulp juice.
The Authority encouraged all stakeholders to engage with the chocolate tasting and explore the variety of cocoa and chocolate products on display. Selected staff also participated in a painting competition, with winners receiving hampers of chocolate products.
As National Chocolate Week 2026 concludes, GFZA called on existing Free Zones enterprises to continue expanding operations and deepening value addition, while inviting prospective investors to leverage Ghana’s strong policy framework, market access, and Free Zones incentives to explore opportunities in the cocoa sector.
GFZA thanked all participating enterprises, partners, and media representatives for their contribution to promoting Ghanaian cocoa excellence and advancing the Free Zones investment agenda.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
