Impact of 7th December Polls on Daily Life: Beverage Association Issues Directive

The Beverage Consumers & Bar Owners Association of Ghana has issued a press statement urging all bar owners, bartenders, and operators of drinking spots, pubs, and blue kiosks across the country to suspend operations on December 7, 2024, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, during the national polls.

Rationale Behind the Directive:

1. Promoting Responsible Behavior:
   The Association emphasized the importance of preventing alcohol consumption before voting to ensure that citizens remain sober and clear-headed while casting their votes.
2. Reducing Rejected Ballots:
   The directive aims to minimize the risk of intoxicated voters, which could lead to errors in marking ballots and result in an increase in rejected votes.
3. Ensuring Sanity at Polling Stations:
   The presence of sober voters is critical to maintaining order and reducing the potential for disruptions or altercations at polling stations.

Call for Peace and Transparency:

This initiative aligns with the broader objective of creating a peaceful and transparent environment for the electoral process. By limiting alcohol sales and consumption during the polling hours, the Association seeks to contribute to the smooth conduct of the elections.

The group reiterated that this measure is a collective responsibility to uphold democratic values and safeguard the integrity of the voting process.

This directive, while temporary, underscores the need for civic responsibility and discipline as Ghanaians head to the polls to decide the nation’s future.

By Majid Diallo