Ghana’s Drunkard Association has given the country’s government a three-week ultimatum to lower alcohol prices for both beverage vendors and consumers.

One may be tempted to think that the Drunkard’s Association is just a stupid gimmick to draw the public’s attention, but this is one of Ghana’s most well-known informal organizations, boasting a member count of over 6.6 million people across the African nation. In a viral post on X (Twitter) last weekend, the association’s president, Moses Onyah, popularly known as “Dry Bone,” decried the continued rise in prices for alcoholic drinks, fueled by a surprising appreciation of the national currency, the cedi. The frustrated members of the group marched through the city of Accra and demanded that the government lower alcohol prices.

Photo: Unsplash

“To date, the prices of alcoholic drinks keep going up. If you purchase alcohol, there is an increment of about 15%, and this affects vendors,” Dry Bone said.“We’ve learnt that the cedi has gained some strength and the price of some items has been reduced. However, the cost of alcohol remains high.” The Drunkards’ Association called on the former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Trade and Industry to intervene, adding that it will give the government three weeks to find a solution, while its members deliberate on the best way to protest the rising prices. Onyah has warned that a lack of action on the part of the government will result in massive nationwide protests. “We are not just drunkards, we are responsible citizens who demand fair treatment and affordable beverages,” President Dry Bone said during the recent march through Accra, adding that the increasing cost of liquor is making it difficult for average Ghanaians to unwind, especially in these challenging economic times. Despite its name, which implies heavy alcohol consumption, Ghana’s Drunkard Association promotes responsible drinking and has launched several campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.