The Sunyani branch of the Ghana COCOBOD has set up a 'typical cocoa village' to highlight the potentials of cocoa and expose consumers of cocoa products to the cocoa 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 also aimed at increasing patronage of chocolates, and related cocoa products as well as creates room for public relaxation and leisure in the festive season.

In an interview with the media in Sunyani about the cocoa village concept, Mr Michael Paddy Kwasi Asumanu, the Bono Regional Administrator of the COCOBOD said "many people have heard about cocoa, but haven't seen or touched it 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 include live band music, and carols night performance, Mr Asumanu stated, and urged the general public to capitalise on the village and have some relaxations with their families in the season.

He also cautioned merrymakers to celebrate the season in moderation in order not to fetch troubles for themselves.

The cocoa village has sheds, decorated with palm branches, dry and green cocoa leaves, cocoa and pawpaw trees, relaxation chairs, 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 has also created opportunities for visitors to play indoor games including, cards draft, Oware, and ludo.

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