Members of the Ghana Drunkards Association have declared their intention to embark on a nationwide demonstration over rising cost of alcoholic beverages.
The drunkards association, made up of nearly 16.5million members, has issued a three-week ultimatum to President John Dramani Mahama and his Trade and Industry Minister to intervene in the high cost of alcoholic drinks or face a massive demonstration.
President of the Ghana Drunkards Association, Moses Drybone Onyah stated at a press briefing that, with the recent appreciation of the Ghana Cedi, members expected the prices of alcoholic beverages to be reduced significantly.
He lamented that ‘Till date, the prices of alcoholic drinks keep going up. If you purchase alcohol, there is an increment of about 15%, and this affects vendors.
‘We’ve learnt that the cedi has gained some strength and the price of some items has been reduced. However, the cost of alcohol remains high’.
Now, the group wants government to yield to their demands by reducing the price of alcoholic drinks drastically without any delays.
President of the drunkards association said ‘We have given them a three-week grace period to meet us so we can deliberate on how to reduce the prices of alcohol.
‘If we do not hear anything after the given grace period, the association will demonstrate. We are about 16.5 million members, so a demonstration will not be pleasing to the sight’.
Moses Drybone added that the Ghana Drunkards Association will continue to engage government and other stakeholders to bring a relief to not just booze lovers but also sellers and consumers of soft drinks across the country.
Earlier this year, the association gave a directive to all drinking spots to cancel the debt of drunkards.
Beyond this, the association has appealed to government to create a special ministry to help address the needs of drunkards, drinking spots and producers of alcoholic beverages.
SOURCE: Kasatintin.com
