GRi Business, Economics & Finance 24 – 07 - 2002

Local Govt. elections: Prices of local alcoholic beverages go up

Bolgatanga (Upper East) 24 July 2002-The cost of 'pito' a local beverage, as well as 'akpeteshie' a local gin, has gone up within the Bolgatanga District as a result of high demands for the drinks at platforms by candidates contesting the District Level Elections, a GNA survey has revealed.

A gallon of pito, which sold between 4,000 and 5,000 cedis, now sells at 6,000 cedis, while a bottle of akpeteshie is now up to between 5,500 cedis and 6,000 from 5,000 cedis. The price hike was caused by a sharp increase in demand for the drinks, which are used customarily by people contesting the local government elections to entertain their supporters.

"There is not a single day that I got up without buying drinks for these unusual visitors," said Mr James Nsoyuure, a candidate for the Gambibigo Electoral Area, where the current District Chief Executive, Mr Rockson Bukari was the Assemblyman.

The drinks are highly patronised at forums organised by local officials for the contestants to outline their manifestos for the community. On a typical platform day, a candidate has to rush to buy all the pito in the village regardless of the price, another contestant, Mr Asaa Aziyie told the

GNA: "We often make advanced orders in order to be sure of supply."

GRi…/

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