The Ghana Drunkards Association has given the government a three-week ultimatum to reduce alcohol prices, warning that its 16.65 million members may stage a nationwide protest if action is not taken.
In a video shared on X, a man identified as Moses Obuah—believed to be the association’s leader—urged authorities to respond swiftly, citing the Ghanaian cedi’s sharp appreciation against the US dollar and other major currencies as justification for immediate price adjustments.
“Alcohol prices keep rising. Vendors are recording about a 15% increase, yet the cedi has gained strength and the prices of some goods have dropped. But alcohol remains expensive,” Obuah said.
He called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Trade and Industry to initiate talks within three weeks to find ways to cut prices, adding that the demand also includes non-alcoholic beverages.
The cedi has surged nearly 50% against the US dollar in 2025, making it the world’s best-performing currency so far, according to Bloomberg. It opened the year at around ₵15 to the dollar and is now near ₵10, helped by investor confidence in Ghana’s economic recovery.
The association argued that the currency’s strength should have led to reduced prices for imported alcohol, but that has not happened.
This is not the group’s first attempt to engage the government on alcohol-related issues. In December 2024, it congratulated President-elect Mahama and called for lower taxes on alcoholic beverage producers, citing how high duties were hurting bar owners and consumers.
“Our concern isn’t just leisure—this is our livelihood,” Obuah said at the time.
So far, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other relevant agencies have not responded to the latest demand.
