GIHOC Distilleries, Ghana’s oldest state-owned beverage manufacturer, is grappling with a structural crisis that underscores the larger, systemic inefficiencies often plaguing public enterprises. In a candid and sobering revelation, Acting Chief Executive Officer Jones Borteye Applerh disclosed that between 2020 and 2024, the company nearly doubled its staff count—from 270 to 520—while production plummeted by more than half, from 625,000 cartons to a mere 275,000.
The disquieting mismatch between labour and output has stirred concerns in both government and private circles, raising urgent questions about GIHOC’s management, cost controls, and long-term viability. With debt exceeding GH₵427 million, the company now finds itself at a precipice, navigating a delicate path between potential retrenchments, operational restructuring, and a broader rethinking of its economic relevance.
“In 2020, we had a staff strength of about 270, and we were producing about 625,000 cartons a year,” said Applerh in a press briefing this week sighted by Accra Business Journal Team from Accra Street Journal. “In 2024, we had a staff of 520 and our production reduced to 275,000 cartons. So when it comes to efficiency to boost our revenue, there’s a lot to be done.”
📢 GET A DETAILED ARTICLES + JOBS
Join ASJ's WhatsApp Channel and never miss a post or opportunity.
📲 Join ASJ Channel Now
Applerh, in remarks that signal possible retrenchment and cost rationalization, argued for a realignment of human capital with actual output and revenue realities. “Certainly, we will have to rationalize and make sure that our costs are within levels we can contain,” he stated, hinting at an internal audit of staffing, procurement, and legacy inefficiencies.
Founded in 1958, GIHOC once stood as a symbol of Ghana’s post-independence industrial ambition. Known for brands such as Mandingo, Herb Afrik, and Castle Bridge, the company had enjoyed decades of market dominance—until regulatory delays, debt accumulation, obsolete machinery, and internal mismanagement eroded its competitive edge.
The GH₵427 million debt is not just an accounting figure; it’s a stark indicator of operational gridlock, expensive supplier obligations, and perhaps more critically, the failure to align workforce expansion with productivity gains. As Ghana pursues its Reset Industrial Agenda to revitalize domestic manufacturing, GIHOC is increasingly viewed as a cautionary tale.
Industry observers believe the solution goes beyond shedding excess staff. “You can’t revive GIHOC by firing half the workforce and keeping everything else the same,” said a senior analyst at Accra-based think tank IMANI Africa. “You need to rewire the whole corporate governance model, automate production lines, build export competitiveness, and rebrand.”
Even more telling is how GIHOC’s situation reflects broader inefficiencies in Ghana’s state-owned enterprises. The Auditor-General’s recent reports repeatedly flagged the financial underperformance of many such entities, with poor procurement processes, bloated wage bills, and weak oversight cited as chronic issues.
“Stabilising the company’s finances and returning to profitability will require not just equipment upgrades and debt restructuring,” said Applerh, “but also a workforce that reflects the company’s current output needs.”
Despite the challenges, GIHOC may yet have an opportunity for redemption. A leaner workforce, combined with targeted investment, supply chain optimization, and potential public-private partnerships, could steer the company back toward viability. But that window may be narrowing.
GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited was the first modern distillery to be established in West Africa. It was established by the pre-independence Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in 1958 as the State Distilleries Corporation for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages. Gihoc’s vision is to Produce and market high quality alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
Last Updated on December 6, 2025 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
Disclaimer: Some content on Accra Street Journal may be aggregated, summarized, or edited from third-party sources for informational purposes. Images and media are used under fair use or royalty-free licenses. Accra Street Journal is a subsidiary of SamBoad Publishing Hub under SamBoad Business Group Ltd, registered in Ghana since 2014.
For concerns or inquiries, please visit our Privacy Policy or Contact Page.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
