New ethical chocolate bar made in Ghana gets UK distribution

The range of Ghana Gold 85g tablets will strengthen Empire Bespoke Foods’ chocolate confectionery offering and will give UK retailers the opportunity to participate in a “revolutionary approach to chocolate​,” says MIA.

Unlike other brands at retail, Ghana Gold is made from raw ingredients to shelf-ready product in Ghana, to create much more value than other certified cocoa exports, MIA claims.

Empire Bespoke Foods will carry five Ghana Gold flavours, ranging from classic dark to dairy milk to a vegan m!lk chocolate alternative:

• 73% Dark Chocolate

• Sea Salt & Cocoa Nibs 73% dark chocolate

• 48% Milk Chocolate

• Fleur de Sel 48% milk chocolate

• 55% Cashew Vegan M!lk Chocolate

MIA Co-founder Brett Beach said: “Fairtrade as we currently know it ends at the farm gate, but there is much more we can do to create prosperity in Africa. Cocoa represents just a part of the value of a chocolate bar, and it is not fair for Ghana to be the world’s second largest cocoa producer while not even 0.1% of value-added chocolate bars are made in Ghana. ​

“Producing chocolate locally in Ghana means MIA can make a big difference beyond the cocoa farm gate, supporting jobs in box manufacturing, chocolate making and cashew farming​.”

Cocoa for the Ghana Gold range will be sourced from ABOCFA, a Fairtrade cooperative in the Suhum region of Ghana. MIA will pay 150% of the Fairtrade premium to support the farmers and development projects in ABOCFA communities.

The bars will be made at a locally owned factory that employs over 300 Ghanaians and powers half of its bean-to-bar operation with solar energy.

Empire Bespoke Foods Director of Sales and Marketing, Phil Nicolle, said: “MIA’s Ghana Gold range has a unique brand positioning that combines excellent quality and extraordinary impact. On the one hand, the brand benefits communities in Ghana from cocoa and cashew farming to box making and chocolate manufacturing. On the other hand, Ghana Gold chocolate is crafted with freshly harvested cocoa to capture great flavour. We’re excited to offer the range to our retail customers​.”