By Christopher Tetteh
Sunyani, (Bono), Dec. 20, GNA – The Sunyani branch of the Ghana COCOBOD has set up a ‘typical cocoa village’ to highlight the potentials of the crop and expose consumers of its products to the pod and beans, as the Christmas festivity sets in.
The set-up is in the premises of the COCOBOD edifice in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, and aimed at increasing patronage of chocolates, and related cocoa products as well as creates room for public relaxation and leisure during the festive season.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) about the cocoa village concept, Mr Michael Paddy Kwasi Asumanu, the Bono Regional Administrator of the COCOBOD said although many people had heard about cocoa but had never seen or touched one before.
“So, we introduce the cocoa village concept for people to experience, feel and touch the cocoa pod and beans as well as understand the economic potential of cocoa,” he stated, saying the concept was in line with several activities outlined for the celebration of the festive season.
Other activities for the celebration included live band music, and carols night performance, Mr Asumanu stated, and urged the public to capitalise on the village to enjoy the relaxations with their families during the season.
He also cautioned merrymakers to celebrate the season in moderation to avoid any form of trouble.
The GNA noticed that the cocoa village had sheds, decorated with palm branches, dry and green cocoa leaves, cocoa and pawpaw trees, relaxation chairs, as well as sharpening stones, portraying a typical cocoa farm.
Vendors also prepared and sold local dishes, including ‘Banku’ with hot pepper and fried fish, ‘Ampesi’ with ‘Kontomire’ stew, boiled and fried rice, and other local delicacies, as well as locally prepared drinks including palm wine and ‘Pito’.
The village also created opportunities for visitors to play indoor games including, cards, draft, Oware, and ludo.
GNA