FDA Must Act Now!

A cross-section of Ghanaians, especially those in the Ashanti Region have registered their displeasure at the producers of Adonko Bitters, a local alcoholic beverage.

They also called on the Food and Drugs Authorities (FDA) to immediately conduct investigations into the alcohol content of the local beverage.

This follows heart-breaking photos on Easter Monday of several young people knocked off by uncontrolled intake of the bitters during the annual Adonko Aseda Bash at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Some of the revelers were seen to have eased nature and wetted themselves with urine.

Even several hours after the show the patrons, most of who were in their teens, were still seen sprawled on the pitch panting for breath.

Some parents in the metropolis in both interaction and radio phone-ins expressed their disgust with the organisers.

The organisers of the programme, Angel Group of Companies, manufactures of Adonko Bitters, wooed the youth with a free gate but on condition that each patron purchased a bottle of Adonko Bitters liquor at GH¢10.

However, no provision was made to ensure that the youth, especially those under the age of 18 years, were not allowed into the stadium.

The only condition to enable one enter the stadium was a bottle of the bitters.

The left-over after the programme attracted widespread condemnation in Kumasi as stadium authorities tried hard to revive and send the drunken young men and women away.

The trick worked, as the youth mostly students on vacation, thronged the stadium in their numbers to enjoy the music of some celebrated artists.

The aftermath has, however, created a huge conflict between the organisers and the stadium authorities for breach of contract.

Per the contract, the organisers were to ensure that no fan entered the inner perimeter and onto the pitch in order for it to be preserved for football matches

Subsequently, the stadium authorities also impounded vehicles and equipment as well as spanked a GH¢ 5,000 penalty on the producers of Adonko Bitters for breach of agreement.