The Ghana Drunkards Association has issued a stern warning to the government, demanding a reduction in the prices of alcoholic beverages within a three-week timeframe. The organisation, claiming a membership of 16.65 million people, has threatened nationwide demonstrations if their demands are not met.
The Association’s primary grievance revolves around the high prices of alcohol, despite the recent strengthening of the Ghana cedi against major international currencies. They argue that while the government has implemented price reductions in other sectors following the currency’s improved performance, alcoholic beverages have been neglected in these adjustments.
A spokesperson for the Association highlighted the detrimental impact of the current pricing structure on both consumers and business operators in the alcohol sector. They emphasized that the cost of alcohol continues to rise, with a 15% increment affecting drinking spot operators.
Drawing parallels to recent government interventions in other sectors, the Association pointed out what they perceive as inconsistent policy application across different commodity categories. They noted that while the president has reduced prices in transportation and food items, no action has been taken regarding alcohol pricing.
The Association has given the government a three-week grace period to engage with their concerns and find a solution to reduce alcohol prices. They have explicitly stated that if no action is taken within the stipulated timeframe, their 16.65 million members nationwide will stage a mass demonstration.
The demands from the Association come at a time when the Ghana cedi has shown significant improvement against major trading currencies, leading to government-directed price reductions in essential commodities. However, the alcohol industry has been left out of these pricing adjustments, prompting the current agitation from the consumer advocacy group.
The potential demonstration threatened by the Association could pose significant logistical and security challenges for authorities if their claimed membership figures are accurate. As of now, the government and the Ministry of Trade and Industry have not responded to the ultimatum or indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue regarding alcohol pricing policies. The ball is now in the government’s court to address the concerns raised by the Ghana Drunkards Association before tensions escalate further.
