2016 VALS DAY CELEBRATED IN CHURCHES

Its here again! Today is 14 February and it happens to be Valentines Day! This is the day when people show love to their love ones.

 It's common to see people buying hampers, toffee, chocolate, teddy bear to their boyfriend's, girlfriends wives and husbands. The colour for the day is red. It's common to see people in red attire. But what is the history behind valentines day? 

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an annual holiday celebrated on February 14. It originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honoring one or more early saints named Valentinus, and is recognized as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.

In Ghana, it is changed from valentines day to National chocolate Day. The day is used to promote chocolate which is made from Ghana's cocoa. Series of activities are organized to educate the public on the need to consume locally manufactured chocolate. 

This year’s festival will be held at the West Hills Mall in Accra, and is under the theme, “Chocolate: The Gift Of Love” According to a statement passed by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in Accra, the event of activities lined up during the current year’s occasion incorporate a visit to Tetteh Quarshie and Jubilee Cocoa Farms at the Mampong Akuapem by tourist clubs, the children of school and in addition the overall population.

An entourage of the National Chocolate Day celebration will converge at the Food Court of West Hills Mall, where the Ghana Tourist Authority hold an exhibition of cocoa-based products and subsequently, in conjunction with the Chefs’ Association of Ghana, organise a Culinary Competition of chocolate-based foods.

Aside these National chocolate day activities musical programs, love summit and beach parties are organised. Fortunately or unfortunately this year's valantines day fell on Sunday so such programs were held yesterday the 13 of February.


On my way to church today, I spotted lots of people in red. The common message which will run through sermons today will obviously be about love.

Well it's good that our Ministers of God will use the day to educate the congregation about love and how to celebrate the day wisely. Some churches are also organizing program after church service. This Ministers of God explains is to keep the youth inn church instead of going to unholy places.  Example of such program is Valentines Musical Concert organised by the Youth Fellowship of Mataheko Branch of Faith Evangelical Mission Worldwide.

Some school of thought believe that valentines day should not be celebrated since it's has nothing to do with Ghanaians, secondly its not biblical and thirdly the day has been abused with immoral activities. According to them Ghana has lots of people who have showed love one way or the other and needs to be celebrated and not one Saint Valantines. One of such person is Yaa Asantewaa. Others believe it's worth celebrating since it gives Ghana the chance to showcase and sell its cocoa products. 


Whether we like it or not valentines day has come to stay so the best way to make the day beneficial to all us to intensify the campaign against immoral activities on that day and instead join the campaign to promote cocoa products. 

Let's not wait for valentines day before we show love to people. Show love to all wherever you find yourself. Happy National chocolate Day. Long live Ghana!