By Esther Aidoo
About 13 percent of adolescents in Ghana consume alcohol excessively.
The situation has warranted the urgent need to pass an alcohol control legislative instrument, regulate aggressive marketing—especially to the youth—and enforce mandatory health warnings. This came to light during the launch of the Shadow Report on Ghana’s implementation of the Global Alcohol Action Plan (2022–2030) in Accra.
The document detailed that alcohol usage in Ghana contributes not only to non-communicable diseases such as liver disease, stroke, and cardiovascular issues, but also fuels road traffic fatalities, crime, reduces productivity, and places a huge burden on the economy.
At the launch, which was organized by the Ghana Alcohol Policy Alliance (GhanAPA) in collaboration with the West African Alcohol Policy Alliance (WAAPA), the National Chairman of the Alcohol Policy Alliance–Ghana, Benjamin Anabila, called for a united front by all players in addressing the high levels of alcohol usage in Ghana.
A research work presented by Professor Nuworza Kugbey painted a stark picture about alcohol consumption among adolescents in Ghana—a situation described as alarming by experts.
The Chairperson for the Shadow Report launch and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Yussif Jahjah, called on government to collaborate with the media to embark on an aggressive campaign against excessive alcohol consumption among the youth.
The Shadow Report provides an evidence-based assessment of Ghana’s progress, identifies critical gaps in policy enforcement, and offers recommendations for passing legislation.
