Akpeteshie drinkers to embark on strike

Hohoe, May 17, GNA- The Ve-Koleonu branch of the Consumers Association of Ghana, has threatened to demonstrate if the cost of the locally distilled liquor affectionately called akpeteshie, was not reviewed downwards by May 23.

In a petition signed by Mr Komla Sabah, Chairman of the local association and made available to the media at Hohoe, said the skyrocketing price of the commodity had gone beyond the reach of consumers and demanded to know the reasons for the increase. It said a four-gallon keg of the liquor had shot up from 160,000 cedis to 250,000 cedis.

The petition noted the "APC" bottle, referred to as "quarter piece", which was about two tots and selling at 1,200 cedis had been withdrawn thereby giving the leeway to retailers to sell a tot at 1,000 cedis.

"The withdrawal of the APC measure is a disincentive to consumers," the petition said.

It said the Ghana Cooperative Distillers and Retailers Association as well as the Hohoe District Assembly are yet to meet over the issue. "We believe that Ghana is a free market state so we cannot understand why there should be an organized price fixing for the commodity," the petition stated. 17 May 05