Tepa (Ash), Dec 06, GNA - Nana Adusei Atwenewaah Ampem, the Paramount Chief of the Tepa Traditional Area, has warned drinking barkeepers at Tepa who lace 'akpeteshie' with marijuana to stop or have their bars closed down and handed over to the police. He gave the warning last Friday at a meeting with drinking barkeepers at Tepa at his palace.

The meeting followed complaints from the public that some barkeepers in the area were selling a popular drink called "Kwantsema" adulterated with marijuana.

Nana Atwenewaah Ampem described the act as criminal and dangerous to health and public safety and said those involved should stop. He said the traditional council would support people to do their legitimate business but would not tolerate anybody whose activities were likely to undermine public safety and corrupt the youth. Mr John Sarkodie, the acting secretary of the Akpeteshie Distillers and Sellers Association, expressed concern about the paramount chief's statement and gave the assurance that the association would co-operate fully with him and the police to expose any of their members who would do any act likely to bring the name of the association into disrepute.