Man Dies In 'Apio' Drinking Contest

AN Akpeteshie competition at Bodomasi, near Agogo in Asante Akim North, in Ashanti Region, ended with the death of a competitor, Yaw Ohemeng, 35.

Yaw, also known as Two Sure, was one of three people to whom the challenge was allegedly thrown. The others who were named as Yaw Willie and Kay, declined it but Ohemeng gladly accepted it.

Chief Superintendent of Police, Richard Baduweh, Asante-Akim North Divisional Police Commander, yesterday confirmed the story to the Times and said that at about 2.30 p.m. last Saturday, the three men and another person, Nana Yaw, met at a drinking spot at Bodomasi.

In the course of their drinking spree, Nana Yaw allegedly threw the challenge that he would give ¢20,000 to anyone of the three who could consume a half beer bottle of ‘akpeteshie’ (local gin) in five seconds.

Yaw Ohemeng, the Chief Superintendent said, took up the challenge and in two gulps, finished the stuff after which he lit a stick of cigarette and smoked it.

Shortly afterwards, he asked Nana Yaw to give him ¢2,000 for food, explaining that he had since morning not eaten anything. But this was denied him and just then, he collapsed.

The ¢20,000 "reward", too, did not materialise.

Chief Superintendent Baduweh said that when Yaw collapsed, the rest fled and it was some onlookers who took him to the Agogo Hospital where he was pronounced dead.