‘What Is Right with Akpeteshie?" and other Local Spirits

In Ameyaw Debrah, Kofi Akpabli  on 'Ghana's Rum'- Akpeteshie:

He looks at the role of the protectionist British colonialist's who protected their own distillers

courtesy of Joy Online

In the days of yore when Britannia ruled the shore of the Gold Coast they found Apio abominable. The open secret was that Akpeteshie was too competitive for their imported beverages. They knew that leaving the drink all alone would be a marketing disaster for their Jack Daniels and Old Toms. They therefore banned it. Oh yes, they did. So, when in March 1957 Ghana, our beloved country gained independence, Akpeteshie also became free forever.

To its potential for branding a la Russian vodka:

Akpeteshie also has a very serious value proposition- that of faithfully serving Ghanaian traditional culture. From birth through marriage to death, the drink is required for a number of customary rites. It is used to pour libation and at the traditional level, it is part of the fine imposed at arbitrations. If one thinks of what Schnapps (in all it’s glory) is used for today, one should know that Akpeteshie ‘has been there and done that.’

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The Scots have their whiskey, the Spanish flaunt their Sherry,Africans should be doing the same.