Drunkards strike, bare teeth at FDA over Adonko ban

Alcohol abusers in Ghana are currently on strike and have vouched to demonstrate against the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) if they fail to lift the ban placed on Adonko bitters.

President of the Ghana Drunkards Association, Moses Onyaa, also known as Dry Bone speaking on Adom FM’s Midday News Monday said the demonstration would happen after the expiration of a three-week deadline they gave the FDA for them to lift the ban they placed on Adonko bitters.

“We gave FDA three weeks to lift the ban or we would demonstrate…this is the third week and the ultimatum we gave would expire on Friday, if after Friday they don’t lift the ban, all drunkards in Ghana would take to the streets and demonstrate against the FDA…,” he threatened.

The FDA suspended the registration and advertisement license of Angel Group of Companies, manufacturer of Adonko bitters.

The license was withdrawn after patrons of its jams at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi on Easter Monday (April 17) got drunk and slept at the venue.

The Company was also been ordered to recall the product bearing the images of the artistes from the market and pay an administrative charge of GHC25,000.

This ban, the drunkards said did not go down well with them and hence gave the FDA a three-week ultimatum to lift the ban as it has led to a shortage of the alcoholic drink at bars.

Since the FDA failed to adhere to their demands, the Drunkards Association President said it has issued a statement ‘ordering our members not to drink any brand of alcohol apart from Akpeteshie’.

Moses Dry Bone said they were also shocked that Alcohol Producers Association have failed to also speak against the ban against its member.

“Adonko is a drink that our members nationwide likes a lot, some also sell as well, the ban is destroying their work too…,” he said.

The strike, he said forms part of actions to force the Alcohol producers to come and join them to demonstrate against the FDA for denying them of their favourite drink, Adonko Bitters.

“We are on a nationwide strike until next week. Now, we don’t get Adonko to drink, some members have been trooping to my office to demand that they bring Adonko back because they don’t get some to drink…,” he said.