The Chief Executive Officer of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, Jones Borteye Applerh, has revealed that the company has been paying nearly 90 workers at its Kumasi branch for the past 10 months despite no production activity.
He said the plant, set up to produce bottled water, has been idle for almost a year, leaving employees on the payroll while operations remain halted.
Describing the situation as alarming, Mr Applerh warned that the continued shutdown is draining the company’s already limited resources.
He called for urgent measures to revive the facility and resume production to reduce losses and protect jobs.
Mr Applerh made these remarks during a visit by members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions as part of their oversight duties.
“I have a whole unit in Kumasi that is supposed to be producing water; they’re close to about 90 [staff]. I have been paying them for the past 10 months, but they are not producing. When I visited the factory and witnessed the condition, I felt it needed to be re-examined,” he explained.
He also expressed concern about the growing influx of imported alcoholic beverages, describing it as a major challenge affecting the company’s operations.
Chairman of the Committee, Joseph Appiah Boateng, said the CEO assured them that steps are being taken to address the challenges at the Kumasi plant.
“He knows that very soon all of these machines will be operationalised, so he doesn’t want to sack anyone before bringing them back again. He said some of the machines will be ready this week to start full operation,” he said.
He added that the committee will also engage the Ministry of Trade and Industry on the growing influx of imported alcoholic beverages to protect local producers like GIHOC and ensure their sustainability.
