The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an alarm over the devastating impact of alcohol consumption, which claims three million lives globally each year, equating to six deaths every six minutes.
WHO highlighted that, while alcohol has long been a part of many cultures, its consumption poses severe health risks. It contributes to a wide array of diseases, injuries, and premature deaths. Alcohol is responsible for 100 percent of alcohol use disorders, 18 percent of suicides, 18 percent of interpersonal violence, 27 percent of traffic accidents, and 13 percent of epilepsy cases. It also contributes to 48 percent of liver cirrhosis, 26 percent of mouth cancers, 26 percent of pancreatitis, 20 percent of tuberculosis, 11 percent of colorectal cancer, five percent of breast cancer, and seven percent of hypertensive heart disease.
These alarming figures were spotlighted at the 2nd High-Level Stakeholders Meeting on the implementation of Ghana’s National Alcohol Policy (NAP) 2016, organized by the Alcohol Policy Alliance – Ghana (GhanAPA) in Accra. The meeting revolved around the theme: “Harnessing the Reset Agenda to Stimulate Healthy Lifestyles, Reduce Health Risks and Promote Wellness through the Passage of the Draft National Alcohol Control Regulations in Ghana.”
The gathering brought together officials from the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Health Service, National Health Insurance Authority, Mental Health Authority, National Road Safety Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, West African Alcohol Alliance, among others.
GhanAPA raised concern over the scale of alcohol-related harm in Ghana. The Mental Health Authority’s 2023 report recorded 3,765 cases of alcohol-related mental health disorders and 5,554 cases linked to other psychoactive substances. The STEPS Report 2023 showed that 22.6 percent of adults aged 18-69 were current drinkers, with men (30.6%) leading women (14.5%). Earlier studies by the National Road Safety Authority confirmed alcohol as a key contributor to road crashes.
Drawing inspiration from the Resetting Ghana Initiative: “Building the Ghana We Want Together”, GhanAPA reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the National Health Policy 2020, National Policy on Non-Communicable Diseases 2022, National Alcohol Policy 2016, and the Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 2023 (Act 1108). The organization urged the Health Minister, under the Public Health Act 851 of 2012, to collaborate with relevant agencies to develop and enforce legislative measures to curb alcohol-related harm.
In a joint declaration, participants called for the full-scale implementation of the National Alcohol Policy 2016 through coordinated multi-sectoral action. They urged the government, especially the Ministry of Health and Parliament, to expedite the presentation and passage of the draft National Alcohol Control Regulation while shielding public health policies from commercial and vested interests.
The meeting concluded with a recommendation that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and Parliament ensure sufficient and sustainable funding to implement Ghana’s National Alcohol Policy effectively.