73 percent drinking bars operate without license
By: Isaac Akwetey-Okunor
Mr. Julius Debrah, CEO, Ghana Tourist Authority
A survey conducted by the Ghana Bar Operators Association (GHABOA) has indicated that about 73 percent of bar operators in the country are operating without legal documents.
A further twenty percent are operating without the required permit from the regulatory bodies.
About 949 operators, who were randomly interviewed during the survey, said that those who did not have permits, interestingly, said they did not know they had to acquire a license before operating.
This was contained in a press release copied to the Eastern file and signed by the General Secretary of the Association, Mr. Stephen Mensah.
According to the release, the country’s current alcoholic policy enjoins anyone who wants to operate a drinking bar to acquire a permit from bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana Tourist Authority (GTA), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Environmental Health Authorities, and District Assemblies.
The release expressed displeasure over the assemblies’ inability to check and ensure that operators have the necessary requirements that mandates them to work, but rather go round to collect rents and other rates from the operators, creating the impression that having paid the ground rents and rates, one was working within the stipulated requirements.
The Association has, therefore, called on drinking bar operators across the country to regularise their operations through the acquisition of the license and necessary documents.
The release further implored the government to reduce the number of agencies responsible for the issuance of permits and other documents, since it created a cumbersome process.
Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=43882
WHAT PART OF THIS WORLD ARE WE LIVING.
IT IS PATHETIC TO READ, MANY OF THE OPERATORS WHO WERE INTERVIEWED NEVER KNEW THAT, SUCH OPERATIONS REQUIRED PERMITS.
OPAYIN, AKWETEY.OKUNOR, LET US NOT BELIEVE THESE FLIMSY EXCUSES.
THIS HAS BECOME POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE OFFICERS AT THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
YESTERDAY IT WAS AT THE CUSTOMS, ELECTRICITY COMPANY, LANDS DEPARTMENT, MINISTRIES, AGENCIES AND TODAY AT THE GHANA BAR OPERATORS.
HOW CAN ANY GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY BE ABLE TO MEET ITS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY,
A VICIOUS CIRCLE.
You have to be extremely dense not to know that in order to operate a bar, you have to have a license. It would appear that these negligent bar owners probably do not know that they are legally responsible and liable for occurences in their bars since they are not licensed to operate. More specifically, an unlicensed bar owner can be sued and dragged into Court by city and State government officials for not complying with existing laws regarding licensure of drinking establishments. I have not even discussed the possibility of patrons suing an unlicensed bar owner under existing civil and criminal codes pertinent to the safety, health, and well-being of patrons while on the premises of an unlicensed bar owner. However, this issue can be shared with the governing/licensure board should monitor the activities of all bars/spots throughout the country with approprite fees for licensure being met and paid. The licensure board is equally liable and responsible as well.