Entry: Bill Guyton
Today over 100 students from seven Washington, DC metropolitan high schools and middle schools joined The World Cocoa Foundation and Let's Go Africa Foundation at the Embassy of Ghana to learn all about cocoa and its origins at a "Cocoa Educational Workshop". In a speech on behalf of the Ambassador of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, by Colonel Kwame Opong-Kyekyeku of the Embassy of Ghana, recognized the efforts being made by the Government of Ghana to strengthen the cocoa industry by supporting the cocoa communities who cultivate this special crop.
When the students first arrived at the event, they were greeted by a Ghanaian drummer and the exhibitors as shown here:
The event included presentations on cocoa and the World Cocoa Foundation (presentation coming soon), as well as exhibits from the World Cocoa Foundation and our partners including Africare, Winrock International, Let's Go Africa Foundation, the Africa Society, the Academy for Educational Development (AED), the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of African Art, the Chocolate Manufacturer's Association, and the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH). Surprisingly, one of the high school teachers had formally been a volunteer with the IFESH program several years ago!
Following the presentations and visits to the partner exhibits, 26 students were winners of a "Cocoa Quiz" and received perfect scores. The quiz tested their knowledge on the history of cocoa and cocoa sustainability. Prizes of "Chocolate Lover" t-shirts were awarded.
One of the main highlights of the day was an African drummer who invited students to play along. We are very grateful to the Embassy of Ghana, our partners and especially the teachers and students who participated. I hope we can do similar events in the future.
