President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about the financial status of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), questioning how entities like GIHOC Distilleries remain heavily indebted despite the high demand for alcoholic products.
Speaking at the 2025 May Day celebrations on Thursday, May 1, 2025, President Mahama expressed disbelief at GIHOC’s debt position, noting that Ghana is a country where alcohol is widely consumed.
He stated, “We had a conference with SIGA, and we were given the debt position of state-owned enterprises, and it turned out that almost all of them are in debt. Even companies like GIHOC Distilleries, when I was president, they used to pay a small dividend to the government, today, they also owe. The question I ask is; how can you sell alcohol and be in debt?”
“When Ghanaians are happy, we drink alcohol. When we’re sad, we drink. When we’re neither happy nor sad, we still drink. So how can you sell alcohol and make a loss?,” he jokingly questioned.
President Mahama further called on SOEs to improve productivity in order to enhance their financial viability.
“We are calling on the management and workers of these SOEs, let’s work together to make these institutions viable, because these institutions belong to us,” he said.
When Ghanaians are happy, we drink. When we’re sad, we drink.
When we’re neither happy nor sad, we still drink. So how can you sell alcohol and be in debt? President Mahama questions GIHOC #JoyNews pic.twitter.com/rj9a1GvrA2— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) May 1, 2025
SP/MA
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