Sipping on the Real Deal: Ghana's Traditional Local Beverage, Akpeteshie

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Akpeteshie is a locally distilled alcoholic drink popular in Ghana and other parts of West Africa. It is made from fermented palm wine or sugar cane juice. In Nigeria, it is known as "Ogogoro," and in other West African countries, it goes by various names like "Kutukù" in Côte d’Ivoire. Akpeteshie is typically consumed as a colorless distillate or can be flavored with herbs to create "bitters".


Photo Credit - myjoyonline

In Ghana, this local drink serves a lot of purposes including warmth to the throat and the stomach; a drink cherished by some alcohol drinkers. The drink, poorly distilled is associated with health risks and not one for most elites. However, it is believed that Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was an enthusiast of this drink.

Last Tuesday, on a trip in Sunyani, at a local town between Gyato and Baakoniaba, a suburb of Sunyani, I chanced on its preparation. In a brief interview with the producers, I found out that it is prepared using tubes which are connected to barrels and passed through water (reference image below).


''Akpeteshie'' being brewed at Gyato-Baakoniaba in near Sunyani

The freshly tapped palm which is the main raw material used, is poured into the barrels, and subjected to extreme heat for the palm wine to vaporize. The vaporized palm wine is then passed through the tubes and connected to the barrels to cool. This then condenses back to liquid and ‘’viola’’, the alcohol is made.


Seeing how this drink is enjoyed by some Ghanaians with its rumored health implications, it will be great to rethink its rebranding and preparation. This was the first time I witnessed this being brewed. It will be great to see it in another setting in a more sanitary condition, which I believe is being done in our current century.

Watch this space, we will take a tour and find out more. 




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Written by Juliet Adwoa Gyanowa Amoh (10313904)



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