The Managing Director of Gihoc Distilleries, Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah says the brands at his outfit can compete with any of the internationally recognized liquor brands.
Speaking at a media soiree at his residence in Asokwa last weekend, Mr Jumah noted that Gihoc distills from unique sources, adding that this makes its brands unique on the market.
According to the former Kumasi Mayor and two-time Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, Gihoc distills from good grains and barley.
These sources, the passionate speaking MD noted are the best forms in distilling alcohol or liquor from, adding they have some unique taste and flavor.
‘’We at GIHOC are committed to giving the people of Ghana as well as our international consumers the best form of hard liquor as well as other alcoholic beverages and it is of no surprise that international brands are calling for partnerships with us’’, Mr Jumah intimated.
FDA BAN:
Mr Jumah however expressed reservations about the ban on advertisements of alcoholic beverages in prime times of the day. He told the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper that the ban by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is problematic since the ban is affecting sales and marketing of GIHOC brands in the country.
According to him, the FDA could still enforce some strict regulations on the advertisements of liquor and alcoholic beverages without necessarily determining timelines by which such should be shown on television or broadcast on radio.
Mr Jumah stressed that the best form of regulation was to ensure that proper food supplements or sources are used in the preparation of food items, drinkables or alcoholic beverages.
‘’I appeal to the FDA to relax the ban on alcoholic beverages and hard liquor and rather introduce stricter regulations that would ensure all food items as well as consumables are produced for high-quality sources and supplements’’, the GIHOC MD passionately stated.
PROFITS: Recounting the challenges GIHOC was in before his assumption of duty, Mr Jumah noted the turn-around came because he found the staff were dedicated to duty and were willing to sacrifice their comfort for the sustenance of the Kwame Nkrumah instituted state company.
Mr Jumah recalled that workers were owed salaries close to years and had also been deprived of some privileges as workers but upon assumption of office in 2017 he had ensured that workers were treated special with the introduction of a 13th month salary payment, a sort of bonus payment that ensures workers had something for Christmas as well as the New Year.
Mr Jumah noted that GIHOC since 2018 had posted profits with the latest one being that of 2019, an act that ensured the company and his humble self were recognized as best brand and MD of the best brand respectively in 2019.
‘’Even though I initially felt going to GIHOC was a punishment or a sort by the President I inherently knew the President had seen something in me to revive the almost defunct outfit and I thank God that with these hardworking staff we as a collective unit have turned the fortunes of GIHOC around and have consequently posted astronomical profit margins from 2017 to date’’, Mr Jumah touted.
