The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that alcohol consumption is responsible for three million deaths globally every year, with six deaths occurring every six minutes as a result of alcohol-related harm.
According to the WHO, although alcohol has been used across cultures for centuries, it continues to pose major public health risks, contributing to numerous diseases, injuries and premature deaths.
The organisation attributes 100% of alcohol use disorders, 18% of suicides, 18% of interpersonal violence, 27% of traffic injuries, and 13% of epilepsy cases to harmful alcohol use.
Alcohol is also linked to 48% of liver cirrhosis cases, 26% of mouth cancers, 26% of pancreatitis, 20% of tuberculosis, 11% of colorectal cancers, 5% of breast cancers, and 7% of hypertensive heart disease.
These statistics were highlighted at the 2nd High-Level Stakeholders Meeting on the implementation of Ghana’s National Alcohol Policy (NAP) 2016, organised by the Alcohol Policy Alliance – Ghana (GhanAPA) in Accra.
The meeting, themed “Harnessing the Reset Agenda to Stimulate Healthy Lifestyle, Reduce Health Risks and Promote Wellness through the Passage of the Draft National Alcohol Control Regulations in Ghana,” brought together representatives from the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Health Service, Mental Health Authority, National Road Safety Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, National Health Insurance Authority, and other partner institutions.
GhanAPA expressed deep concern over rising alcohol-related harm in the country. Citing the Mental Health Authority’s 2023 report, the Alliance said the nation recorded 3,765 cases of alcohol-related mental health disorders and 5,554 cases linked to other psychoactive substances.
The STEPS 2023 Report further indicated that 22.6% of adults aged 18–69 are current drinkers, with men accounting for 30.6% and women 14.5%. A 2014 National Road Safety Authority study also identified alcohol as a major contributing factor in road crashes.
The Alliance said its advocacy aligns with the government’s “Resetting Ghana: Building the Ghana We Want Together” agenda, particularly the section on disease prevention and health promotion. GhanAPA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the implementation of Ghana’s National Health Policy 2020, Non-Communicable Diseases Policy 2022, National Alcohol Policy 2016, and the Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 2023 (Act 1108).
The Alliance also referenced Public Health Act 851 (2012), which mandates the Health Minister to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement legislative instruments addressing alcohol-related harm.
In a final declaration, participants called for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to fully implement the National Alcohol Policy 2016. They urged the Ministry of Health and Parliament to prioritise the presentation and passage of the draft National Alcohol Control Regulations into law.
They further recommended that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Parliament allocate adequate and sustainable funding for effective implementation of the policy to safeguard public health.
