The Managing Director of State-owned GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited (GDCL), Maxwell Kofi Jumah, has revealed that he and his family had wanted President Akufo-Addo to appoint him to a ‘juicy position’ rather than GIHOC after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won the December 7, 2016 general elections, MyNewsGh.com reports.

Maxwell Kofi Jumah who has been acknowledged by the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) for the remarkable transformation GIHOC has witnessed under his management in an exclusive interview with Kwame Adinkra on Kumasi-based Pure FM’s ‘Pure Morning Drive’ Monday, January 20, 2020 recounting the success story of the once defunct GIHOC company which is now a profit making venture indicated that he was desolate upon hearing of his appointment but encouraged himself in the Lord and determined to take up the challenge to prove his detractors wrong.

He reiterated that among his many notable achievements at GIHOC include renovation of the office complex, the Media Relations Unit with a strong social media presence driven by reliable technology, the introduction of Sales Supervisors and Sales Executive system, the Event Unit, the Export Office where products are being exported to neighboring countries like Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and La Cote d’Ivoire with South Africa office underway and a minimum wage of GHC1000.

He told host Kwame Adinkrah that the other structures he has instituted include the introduction of a cocktail unit, the GIDi Shops (consumer shops in all regions) that make it easy for people to get access to GIHOC products.

Also, to motivate workers, he has ensured that ordinary workers nominated by their own working colleagues are included in the foreign trips of the company.

“Kwame, let me tell you this, GIHOC does not owe anybody and any state institution. We have invested all our monies into the company that we have become really self-sufficient.” He stated.

The former Member of Parliament for the Asokwa constituency stated that upon receiving his appointment letter, the President [Akufo-Addo] told him to go and do what he knows how to do best that’s giving life to dead institutions and up until date he has not regretted on taking up the appointment.

When asked if he will contest in the upcoming NPP’s parliamentary primaries at the Asokwa constituency, the GIHOC MD revealed that he is comfortable with his position and will focus his energy all on working hard to ensure that the President [Akufo-Addo] gets a second term so he continues to turn the fortunes of GIHOC around.

In touting the achievements of GIHOC Distilleries under his tenure, Hon. Kofi Jumah stated that his outfit has chalked many successes but the ban on the media advertisement of alcoholic beverages before 8pm has made it difficult for majority of the public to know their quality products and it would have been prudent if the regulatory authorities had consulted the stakeholders earlier before coming out with the fiat.