The Vision for Alternative Development – Ghana (VALD-Ghana) and the Ghana NCD Alliance (GhNCDA) have called on society to liberate itself from alcohol consumption and to help accelerate action on the control of the product.
The two civil society organisations made the call in a statement issued by Mr Labram Musah, the Executive Director of VALD-Ghana and the National Coordinator of GhNCDA ,as Ghana joined the world to commemorate the 2024 World Alcohol-Free Day.
The Day was on the theme: ‘Expect More,’ and highlighted the outdated and harmful alcohol norm which was not good enough for people, stating that ‘It belongs to a long-gone century.’
It said, ‘In the 21st century, people around the world expect more from our social environments, norms, activities, from our interactions, events, and culture than pushing alcohol all the time, everywhere’.
The statement said as the world marked the Day, the Movendi International expected more from family time, social connections, celebrations, bars and restaurants, dates, nightlife, sports, social media, and holidays thus liberated from alcohol.
It said the commemoration sought to raise awareness about the risks associated with alcohol misuse and abuse and the dangers of selling to minors, which could lead to underage and binge drinking.
‘It also serves as a critical reminder of the importance of addressing the pervasive health and social harms associated with alcohol consumption around the world including Ghana, with children and young people being at greater risk.
The statement pointed out that while alcohol consumption is often embedded in our cultural and social fabric, the increasing rates of its related communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), road injuries, and social issues in Ghana demand urgent attention.
‘This highlights the pressing need for all stakeholders to liberate people, especially children, young people, and the family as a whole, from alcohol,’ it stated.
It said ‘Now, more than ever, we must act to protect our children and young people, our communities, and the future of our nation from the health consequences of alcohol consumption and exposure to alcohol beverages’.
The statement said recent research from the World Health Organisation (WHO), conducted in partnership with The Lancet, reaffirmed that no amount of alcohol was safe for consumption, and the devastating health impacts of the product could not be overstated.
It stated that alcohol was a major risk factor for liver diseases, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders and in Ghana, the alarming rise in NCDs such as these could be directly linked to the widespread availability and use of health-harming products, including alcohol.
It said since the launch of the National Alcohol Policy in 2016, Ghana has made some strides towards alcohol control, however, the implementation of this policy has been inconsistent, and the full potential of its impact is yet to be realised.
‘A robust regulatory framework is vital for preventing alcohol-related harm, and this is why we are urging the Ministry of Health and other key partners to fast-track the development of the draft National Alcohol Regulation.
‘This regulation, once passed, will provide clear guidelines on the marketing, sale, and consumption of alcohol in Ghana, particularly focusing on protecting children, young people and vulnerable populations from exposure,’ it pointed out.
The statement said It was important to note that the reality on the ground tells a different story and that alcohol was present at nearly every social event in Ghana, from weddings and funerals to celebrations and festivals, with young people increasingly taking to drinking at an alarming rate.
‘This normalisation of alcohol use, coupled with aggressive marketing and easy access to the product, has created a dangerous environment where the health risks associated with drinking are often overlooked or ignored,’ it said.
On this World Alcohol-Free Day, the VALD-Ghana. GhNCDA and Social for Accelerated Sustainable Development and other CSOs wished to call for a renewed commitment from all sectors of society, to tackle the growing alcohol epidemic.
The statement indicated that the Food and Drugs Authority had played a pivotal role in championing this cause and must continue to stay resolute in its campaign to reduce alcohol consumption.
Their work in enforcing current policies, including ban on well-known celebrities, restrictions on alcohol advertising on TV and radio among others, has laid the foundation for broader reforms, the statement said.
However, strict enforcement was required, particularly in curbing underage drinking and addressing the unlawful importation and sale of alcohol products and that collaboration with traditional and religious leaders was essential in this effort, by leveraging their influence on children and the youth, to change behaviours and misconceptions about alcohol use and its negative effects.
It commended the Ministry of Health through the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Attorney Generals Department, as well as the Vision for Alternative Development, for defending the Authority’s ban on celebrities and well-known personalities from alcohol advertisement, in the recent Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the ban on celebrities and public figures promoting alcohol products.
This ruling sets a strong precedent for responsible advertising and sends a clear signal that the health and safety of the people come first and commended the Supreme Court for upholding public health.
Source: Ghana News Agency