Ernest Norgbey, Lydia Alhassan, Other MPs declare support for Alcohol Control Regulations for Ghana

Ernest Norgbey, Lydia Alhassan, Other MPs declare support for Alcohol Control Regulations for Ghana

Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ashaiman Constituency, Ernest Norgbey, has expressed delight at the efforts of the Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (GhNCDA) in promoting a legislative Instrument that will regulate Alcohol consumption and increase tax measures on these products in the Ghanaian market.

He made the disclosure at an  engagement with a delegation from the Alliance (GhNCDA), on,Tuesday, October 25, 2022 in Parliament on the need to regulate Alcohol consumption in Ghana to prevent needless diseases and death.

According to Hon. Ernest Norgbey, who is also a member of the finance Committee of parliament, he recently presented a statement on the floor of parliament on the effects of Alcohol consumption among the youth of the country, where he called on parliament to regulate alcohol advertisement to reduce the rising incidence among the youth.

He explained that it was very thoughtful of the Alliance to undertake a research into Alcohol consumption because as lawmakers the data becomes the bases for the formulation of policies for the country.

“I made a statement on the floor of parliament on the effects of Alcohol and how to regulate advertisement of alcoholic beverage which became a big issue and was discussed all over the place for so many weeks, so I think this is a good call,” he stated.

Members of the delegation took turns to explain the importance of the MPs support when the instrument gets laid in parliament and at their respective committees.

Leader of the team, Jeorge Wilson Kingson, who is also the Chairman of the Media Alliance in Tobacco Control and Health (MATCOH) in his remarks emphasized the need for Parliament to consider increasing tax on alcoholic products in the country to enable the government raise revenue for its development projects.

“We believe that in increase in tax on alcoholic beverages will give the government enough revenue, such monies can be earmarked for the treatment or prevention of NCDs in Ghana, among others. You may also consider changing the tax system for alcohol products,” he stated.

The MP was then presented with the fact sheet containing the findings and recommendations of the research conducted by the Alliance into Alcohol consumption in Ghana.

In the same vein, the delegation from the GhNCDA presented the MP for the Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency and a member of the health committee in parliament, Hon. Lydia Alhassan with copies of the research findings on Alcohol consumption in Ghana.

She in also expressed optimism about the future of the Legislative Instrument and how it will rake in money for the government when the task measures are keenly adhered to.

Other members of Parliament who were also presented with the fact sheet on Alcohol consumption in Ghana, includes the Member of Parliament for the Korle Klottey Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Hon. Zenator Agyeman-Rawlings, and the Hon. Yussif Jajah Issaka, Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso North Constituency also in the Greater Accra Region.

The delegation pleaded with MPs to use their good office to support the Alcohol Regulations and champion its adoption in Parliament when it is presented to the House during this Meeting, in the interest of the youth of Ghana.

By Derick Botsyoe ||ghananewsonline.com.gh