The Ghana Drunkards Association (GDA) has issued a firm ultimatum to the government, threatening mass demonstrations over recent tax increases on raw materials used in the production of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The group says the tax hikes have triggered a sharp rise in beverage prices, leading to widespread economic hardship for industry stakeholders and patrons alike.
At a press briefing in Kumasi cultural center today, the Public Relations Officer of the association, Mr. Moses Onyah, popularly known as Dry Bone, voiced the frustrations of thousands of members, pub owners, and beverage vendors across the country. According to Mr. Onyah, the increased taxation is “suffocating the industry” and has already caused the shutdown of numerous drinking spots, pubs, and local blue kiosks that serve as critical social and economic hubs in Ghanaian communities.
“We cannot keep quiet while drinking spots collapse and jobs disappear. These tax hikes are killing small businesses and robbing people of their livelihoods,” Mr. Onyah declared.
The association is calling on the government to immediately review and reduce the taxes imposed on essential raw materials used in beverage manufacturing. According to the GDA, this move would bring down the cost of production, make beverages more affordable for consumers, and stabilize the market for sellers.
Beyond the economic ramifications, the GDA emphasized the potential social impact of the crisis, pointing out that the beverage sector employs thousands of Ghanaians—directly and indirectly—ranging from bartenders and distributors to local suppliers and security staff.
“This is not just about alcohol. It’s about jobs, businesses, and livelihoods. People are struggling, and the government must take responsibility,” Mr. Onyah stressed.
In response to what they describe as government inaction, the GDA has begun mobilizing its nationwide membership base to take to the streets in protest. Plans are underway to organize a large-scale demonstration that would bring attention to their demands and force the government to reconsider the controversial tax policy.
The association is also reaching out to other interest groups and industry players to form a coalition against the tax hikes, warning that the protest will be peaceful but highly visible and persistent.
“We will march, we will chant, and we will drink responsibly—until the government hears us loud and clear,” Mr. Onyah concluded.
This unusual but determined protest threat has captured public attention and sparked debate about the broader impact of tax policy on local industries and informal economies. With pressure mounting and public sympathy growing, all eyes are now on the government’s next move.
Will the cries of the Ghana Drunkards Association be heard, or will their call for relief be ignored? As tension brews, the answer may be found on the streets in the coming days.
