President John Dramani Mahama has questioned why state-owned GIHOC Distilleries will incur debt while selling popular alcoholic products in Ghana.
Addressing workers during the May Day parade at Independence Square on May 1, President Mahama remarked, “How can you sell alcohol and be in debt?”
He was admonishing workers in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to speak up when they see any wrongdoing in their places of work.
The president was worried about the failure of state-owned enterprises to make profits and now running the businesses into debt.
In his remarks, the president posited that “when I was president, GIHOC was making profit. Because Ghanaians, when we are happy, we drink alcohol; when we are sad, we drink alcohol. So how can an alcohol manufacturing company make losses?”
“Protect the enterprises you work at. When things are going wrong, don’t be afraid to point them out,” he said.
“Let us all, employers and employees, commit to fostering a spirit of collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect. Let us work together to create a more prosperous and equitable Ghana, where every citizen can contribute their talents and skills to national development,” he added.
The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on March 13, 2025, revealed at a meeting with heads of SOEs that GIHOC Distilleries has recorded losses in 2022 and 2023.
At the meeting with the heads of the entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), the finance minister disclaimed that GIHOC Distilleries recorded a loss of GH₵25.1 million in 2022 and a further GH₵ GH₵25.5 million in 2023.
by: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
