An expressive painting of three smiling people in traditional African attire surrounded by cocoa products, with a dark, industrial factory behind them.

What Happened to Ghana’s Chocolate Pride? There was a time when Ghanaian chocolate was a national treasure, not just an export commodity. We grew it, processed it, and proudly consumed it. Golden Tree, chocolate beads, royal mints, and other cocoa products made by the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) were staples of our childhood. They were not luxuries; they were symbols of Ghanaian excellence; proof that we could take what we produced and turn it into something world-class. Today, that story has changed. Walk through our supermarkets or street kiosks, and you will find shelves lined with imported chocolates — flashy brands from Europe and Asia — while authentic Ghana-made cocoa products are disappearing. The few that remain are either scarce, overpriced, or stripped of the rich cocoa flavor that once made them distinct. The question is simple but painful: What happened to Ghana’s chocolate? This is not a matter of taste; it is a matter of identity. Ghana is one of the world’s largest cocoa producers, yet our domestic chocolate industry has shrunk. The factories that once buzzed with activity now operate below capacity. The farmers who grow cocoa see little reward, while foreign manufacturers reap the real profit. The result? Our children are growing up on imported sugar disguised as chocolate, a generation that may never know the flavor of real Ghanaian cocoa. It did not have to be this way. With the right vision, Ghana could have become the Switzerland of Africa; a hub for See more