We must stop importation of inferior drinks - Kofi Jumah

Managing Director of GIHOC, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, has underscored the need for Ghana to put in place strict laws to prevent the importation of inferior drinks into the country.

He has also berated the desire of the hospitality industry to deal in foreign products at the detriment of our locally manufactured products.

He has therefore appealed to all Ghanaians to patronise the product which has undergone quality controls for consumption.

“There are local hotels and restaurants in the country who patronize these foreign drinks, and yet refuse to sell or even display locally manufactured drinks on their shelves, and they do this without any sense of patriotism.”

He said, “As the boss of GIHOC, I have travelled the world over, and I have patronized the best hotels and restaurants, and I can say without mincing words that no country will tolerate this.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kwabena Agyapong and Nana Adjoa Owusu on Frontlineon Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Mr Jumah said, foreign products are not subjected to strict processes before they are imported into the country hence the influx of inferior products in to the Ghanaian market.

He recounted the difficulties the company went through in getting approval to export some of their products to the United States.

He also narrated how it has become difficult for the company to export to Nigeria,

According to him, a process that should take 2 hours has tuned into a year.

He has therefore challenged government to adopt strict measures to prevent inferior goods from our markets.

He said, “If I am made the president for just two days, I will stop all these inferior goods from entering the country. Nana Addo should just make me the president for two days and see what I will do.”

Meanwhile, Mr Jumah has promised to make GIHOC a global brand that would compete with brands known globally.

Towards this end, he has initiated policies to reorient staff at the company.