'Akpeteshie' distillers meet

Sunyani (B/A), Aug. 17, GNA - The Ghana Co-operative Distillers Association (GCDA) on Monday said it was taking over payment of salaries of some 480 society secretaries throughout the country with immediate effect.

Speaking at a special general meeting of Brong-Ahafo Co-Operative Distillers/Retailers Central Union at Sunyani, Nana Akuoko Kwarteng, president of the Association, said a committee had already been formed to work on the salaries and wages of the society secretaries. It would submit its report to the Association in three weeks.

The meeting, attended by more than 100 members of the Union from all 10 regions deliberated on pertinent issues relating to the Association's operations such as production, marketing and issuance of waybills on Akpeteshie countrywide.

Nana Kwarteng expressed worry that of late, the quality of production had fallen due to lack of proper supervision, as a result of the emergence of splinter groups.

He held that the proliferation of splinter Associations was posing a problem as it made it difficult for any proper check on members' activities, adding that it had led to a situation where anybody could go to the offices of a local District Assembly for permit to brew Akpeteshie.

Nana Kwarteng announced that the Association's task force had been permitted to charge a spot fine of 20,000 cedis on a tin of Akpeteshie found without the appropriate waybill issued from his outfit. He cautioned clerks of the Association against under-invoicing and urged members to honour their tax obligations.

Mr. Mohammed N.A. Adams, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Commander, cautioned the distillers and retailers not to adulterate the drink, adding that it would amount to poisoning.