Kalyppo, once a refreshingly affordable option at just GHC0.50 in 2016, has undergone a startling transformation in price over the past few years, National Communications Director for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has lamented.

He ascribed the situation to the economic changes that have taken place under the Akufo-Addo administration.

“The price of everything has soared under the Akufo-Addo regime,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo in 2016 earned the nickname 'Nana Kalyppo' after he was spotted in a vehicle consuming the drink. This was in the lead up of the 2016 general elections when he was still a presidential aspirant.

Ever since the picture surfaced in the media, many Ghanaians who were NPP members turned the story around in favour of Akufo-Addo, saying he was promoting Ghana made goods.

Some also said it was to show then President, John Dramani Mahama that he (Akufo-Addo) was medically fit than the so-called youths who run away from drinks perceived to be lased with sugar. In a show of solidarity to Akufo-Addo, many sympathisers across Ghana started taking selfies with Kalyppo drink and posting it on their social media timeline; pictures which made it to traditional media.

Sammy Gyamfi has asserted that Ghanaians can no longer engage in such challenges due to the price of the drink which has significantly soared since the Akufo-Addo government assumed office.

Speaking in an interview on Onua TV, he blamed the development on the alleged printing of huge stacks of money by the Bank of Ghana for the government.

“The unlawful printing of huge sums of money has resulted in inflation. Apart from cement which was sold at GHC27 in 2016 and is now going for GHC96, I checked the prices of goods at the Makola market and I was shocked to find out that the price of a bag of corn which was selling at GHC170 is now selling at GHC 700. A bucket of onions which previously sold at GHC15, is now selling at GHC50. The 5kg bag of Gino rice which was selling at GHC25, is now selling at GHC 185,” he said.

“Even the President’s favorite drink, Kalyppo which was selling at 50 pesewas is now selling at GHC 3.50,” Mr Gyamfi added.

The NDC is accusing the Bank of Ghana of printing an amount of GHC 80 billion for the government of Ghana. In an interview on Onua TV, Sammy Gyamfi noted that despite the “unlawful” funding to the government, there is currently nothing to show.

“More than 50 percent of the total revenue. They are living like there is no law. The impunity. After supplying the government over GHC 80 billion, let’s ask ourselves what the government used the money for,” he said.

He noted that the amount of money printed by the Central Bank for the Akufo-Addo-led government comes nowhere close to the loans that were taken by the erstwhile Mahama government.

“He (John Mahama) borrowed GHC 54 billion. This does not even include the accumulated debt of this government,” he added.