Old Akyem Tafo R/C School wins maiden cocoa cooking competition
The Old Akyem Tafo R/C Basic School in the Abuakwa North Municipality in the Eastern Region emerged winners of the maiden Cocoa Cooking Competition.
The Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) Primary School came second, followed by the Kukurantumi R/C Basic School, the OPASS M/A Basic School, the New Akyem Tafo Presby Basic School and the Osiem M/A Saviour Basic "B" School.
The pupils were made to prepare dishes such as banku with okro soup, cocoazom drink, biscuits, cocoa banku, jollof rice among others.
The competition, which was on the theme: "Inculcating Cocoa into Our Local Diets", was organised jointly by the Cocoa Club Ghana, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) and the Ghana Education Service (GES).
It was funded by Cargill Ghana, a manufacturer of cocoa products.
Prizes
For their prize, the Old Akyem Tafo R/C Basic School had a cheque for GH¢4,000, while the CRIG Primary School, which came second, was given GH¢2,500 and the Kukurantumi R/C Basic School, which clinched the third position, received GH¢1,500.
Addressing the pupils at Akyem Tafo last Thursday, the Deputy Executive Director in charge of Cashew, Shea, and Coffee at CRIG, Esther Gyedu-Akoto, said the event aimed to educate and empower basic school children to share the knowledge gained with their parents and guardians, many of whom were cocoa farmers.
The event also brought together officials from the Cocoa Club Ghana, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, education directors, coordinators of competing schools, teachers, school pupils from cocoa-growing communities, among others.
The deputy executive director of CRIG indicated that it was necessary and, at the same time, a step in the right direction that the Cocoa Club Ghana decided to inculcate cocoa into local diets and encouraged school pupils to practice it every day.
Local diets
"We are educating our basic school children to know that we can inculcate cocoa in our local diets because it is a good step that we are taking to teach the children to understand how cocoa is beneficial to humans.
Innovative & creative
"There is a bright future ahead of us; these children will grow up and become mothers to also educate or teach their children in future to know the benefits of cocoa", she stated.
On his part, the Founder of Cocoa Club Ghana, Michael Owusu-Manu, said the event was designed to introduce healthier eating habits among Ghanaians and that the focus had been on children, as they were innovative, creative and well-positioned to lead the transformation.
He explained that the club had been offering opportunities for children to learn more about cocoa, and that such an approach could nurture a generation that not only grows cocoa but also proudly consumes and utilises it.
The Abuakwa North Municipal Education Director, Grace Adza-Awude, praised the founder of Cocoa Club Ghana, who, in addition to supporting the event, had provided learning materials for pupils in basic schools in the area.
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