Ahenkanfmonline.com Ahenkan 93,3 FM
The Speaker of Parliament in Ghana, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has put forward a compelling proposal to change Valentine’s Day to Teteh Quarshie Day. This suggestion aims to commemorate the immense contribution of Teteh Quarshie to Ghana’s cocoa industry and recognize the pivotal role cocoa has played in the nation’s economy.
Valentine’s Day, traditionally celebrated on February 14th, is often associated with romantic gestures, gifts, and chocolates. However, Bagbin’s proposal seeks to shift the focus of this day towards honoring Teteh Quarshie, a Ghanaian agriculturalist whose introduction of cocoa to Ghana has left an indelible mark on the country’s history and economy.
Teteh Quarshie, born in the late 19th century, is widely credited with bringing cocoa seeds from Fernando Po (now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea) to Ghana in the 1870s. His pioneering efforts marked the beginning of cocoa cultivation in Ghana, laying the foundation for what would become one of the leading cocoa-producing nations in the world.
The significance of cocoa to Ghana cannot be overstated. Over the years, cocoa has emerged as one of the country’s primary cash crops, contributing significantly to its export revenue and providing livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians involved in cocoa farming and processing. Ghana’s cocoa industry has not only bolstered its economy but has also positioned the country as a key player in the global cocoa market.
Due to that, the government named him after an interchange (Tetteh Quarshie Interchange) on 27th February 2005.
According to the Speaker, naming Tetteh Quarshie after an interchange is not enough. He suggested that we should even name him after a university by now.
“The backbone of the economy in Ghana, is Tetteh Quarshie and not cocoa,” Speaker declared.
Following the speaker’s speech, numerous Ghanaians said in an interview with News reporter Nautey Hannah Korkor of Ahenkan that they agreed with the ideal
Source: Ahenkanfmonline.com / 93.3 FM
