Alban S.K. Bagbin
Nobody could keep a straight face in Parliament yesterday when the Speaker, Alban S.K. Bagbin directed male MPs to show love to their female counterparts on Valentine Day.
The MPs were discussing how to create greater awareness for the consumption of chocolate, highlighting the importance of supporting the country’s cocoa industry and cocoa farmers on national chocolate day, when the Speaker gave the directive.
“I direct that all male MPs take female MPs out and show them love. Men, show love,” the Speaker said.
The Chairman of the Food Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee of Parliament, John Osei Frimpong, applauded cocoa farmers for their commitment to the growth of the economy and improved health of Ghanaians.
He stated that this year’s national chocolate week not only promoted cocoa consumption, but also recognized farmers’ important contributions to the country.
According to him, cocoa has been shown to be high in antioxidants and beneficial to a healthy heart adding that it is, therefore, important for all to support the production and marketing of cocoa.
MP for Bia West, Augustine Tawiah, bemoaned the youth’s lack of interest in cocoa growing, while MP for Offinso South, Dr. Isaac Opoku, urged state agencies to go all out to combat cocoa bean smuggling out of the nation.
Tamale South MP, Haruna Idrissu urged the House to be more stringent on the work of COCOBOD in curbing some of the challenges facing the sector.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House