The Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana) has called on the government to ban alcohol in sachets in Ghana, to safeguard public health, especially among children.
It said, “These small, inexpensive, and easy-to-hide packages make high-strength alcohol (often 43 per cent or more) easily accessible to underage users, including school children who can conceal them in pockets.”
It added, “This situation leads to alcohol abuse, addiction, physiological damage such as liver damage, even from small amounts, and long-term health problems, as early exposure is particularly harmful to developing bodies.”
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency by Labram Musah, the Executive Director of VAST-Ghana, urged the government to emulate the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The NAFDAC, like Ghana’s Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA), has shown a strong commitment to public health by enforcing the ban on sachet alcohol and small bottles under 200ml nationwide.
“By acting decisively, NAFDAC has shown that safeguarding the public, especially children and minors, from early alcohol exposure requires strong regulatory enforcement rather than just words,” the statement pointed out, adding that, “Nigeria’s ban directly tackles the ‘affordability gap’ exploited by the alcohol industry.”
The statement said it was important that Ghana’s FDA recognised that, as a regulatory agency, it was part of its functions to create and enforce safety, as it already has the legal authority under the Public Health Act (ACT 851).
“This will avoid lengthy parliamentary debates, which the industry often uses to delay action,” it stated, adding, “The FDA has activated the mandate ascribed to them via the Act 851 to ban well-known personalities from alcohol advertisement, restrict adverts on radio and television, among others.”
The statement commended the Authority for its bold actions; however reiterated the call by CSOs to ban alcohol in sachets and miniature bottles and that the measure was long overdue, and the time to act is now.
The VAST-Ghana also applauded Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, for the announcement of the government’s plan to introduce the Alcohol Control Regulation Bill in Parliament when he briefed the media on February 3, 2026.
He stated that, “The proposed legislation aims to protect public health, particularly young people, by curbing excessive exposure to alcohol promotions.
“The Bill will set clear guidelines for marketing alcohol products, including restrictions on broadcast times, sponsorships, and promotional activities that target vulnerable groups, including children.”
It urged the Government and FDA to build on the momentum by urgently banning alcohol in sachets and miniature bottles while also supporting the finalisation of the alcohol regulations.
“This will ensure that Ghana catches up with regional leaders like Nigeria, Uganda, and Malawi in protecting its citizens from predatory alcohol marketing and high-risk packaging,” the statement noted.
The VAST-Ghana said, “Our call is grounded in the WHO’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Use of Alcohol and the SAFER technical package. Specifically, we demand the implementation of the ‘S’ pillar – Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability.”
It recalled that Movendi International had repeatedly exposed the industry’s “playbook” of using small packaging to bypass minimum unit pricing and target low-income populations.
“By removing these ‘pocket-sized’ toxins, Ghana can align with international best practices and fulfil its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3’.
The statement said recent research published in BMC Public Health (May 2025) revealed a terrifying trend that alcohol is now the most used substance among Ghanaian students, with initiation ages dropping as low as 10 years.
“The normalisation of sachet alcohol in transport terminals/parks, community gatherings, and even near schools creates a toxic environment for our youth and children,” it pointed out.
It added, “This is not just a health issue; it is a threat to our national security and future human capital. A nation that allows its children to be targeted by predatory marketing is a nation sacrificing its future.”
The VAST-Ghana called on the FDA to urgently exercise its regulatory power to immediately ban the production and sale of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles while officially integrating the proven SAFER technical package into the national policy framework.
The Authority should establish and enforce stringent conflict-of-interest guidelines to effectively limit/exclude alcohol industry actors from interfering in public health policy-making processes, and to finalise and adopt the National Alcohol Regulations.
It urged the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, the FDA, Parliament, and all relevant stakeholders to adopt a bold, evidence-based stance in this regard.
It stressed that, “Protecting public health through decisive policy is not punitive; it is preventive, progressive, and pragmatic. The health of Ghanaians is the foundation of the nation’s productivity, and no economic argument should be strong enough to undermine that.
It is said that by banning sachet alcohol and adopting comprehensive alcohol control measures, Ghana could build a healthier, wealthier, and more resilient future.”
Source: GNA
