Case example 8: Ghana

“Pito (local brew made from millet) is widely consumed in Ghana. The brewing of pito is traditionally associated with the people in the northern part of the country, but migration has led to its production throughout the country. The industry is mostly controlled by women between the ages of 18 and 67 years old. Pito is golden yellow to dark brown in colour with taste varying from slightly sweet to very sour. It contains lactic acid, sugars, amino acids, 2% to 3% alcohol and some vitamins and proteins. There are four types of pito in Ghana – nandom, kokmba, togo and dagarti. The peculiar characteristics of each lies in the differences in their wort extraction and fermentation methods.

Source: Akyeampong (1995); Sefa-Dedeh (1999)”

Source & © WHO  Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004, p.21