GhanaPA calls on Parliament, MoH, AG to pass LI on Alcohol Control LI in Ghana
“College students are more likely to drink than young adults not enrolled in college. Young adults in the military are also more likely to have a drinking problem. Young men are more likely to drink than women.
The Alcohol Policy Alliance-Ghana (GhanAPA) has called on the Ministry of Health, the Attorney General and the Parliament of Ghana to swiftly pass the Alcohol Control Legislative Instrument in Ghana to save the many innocent lives especially persons below the age of 25.
The call comes ahead of the impending festive season which is normally characterized by high alcohol consumption at a sitting or multiple sittings and this GhanaPA said is highly dangerous for society.
“For highway drivers and trotro operators, it increases the risk of over-speeding, blurry vision, poor judgment leading to severe crashes resulting in avoidable deaths, amputations, and loss of ability to cater for families,” the release stated.
The release explained that alcohol is a psycho-active, toxic and dependence-producing substance, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) no level of alcohol consumption is safe for human health.
In the view of GhanaAPA, alcohol addiction impacts younger generations especially people below the age of 25years; alcohol use also causes harm, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease and digestive problems.
“Others are cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, rectum and weakening of the immune system,” it added.
Furthermore, the WHO has also said that young adults should not drink alcohol to prevent physical and mental health problems, including alcohol use disorders.
“Further brain development continues into adulthood. Teens and young adults don’t have the skills or the brain functioning to make the best choices and so they might struggles with emotional regulations and impulse control. Alcohol impairs these areas of the brain even further,” it added.
The release name some risk factors associated with alcohol abuse by young adults to include Traumatic experiences, Sexual or physical abuse; underlying mental health issues, like depression or anxiety; parents or other close family members who have substance use disorders, mixing alcohol with other substances, like illicit or prescription drugs; and learning disabilities, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“College students are more likely to drink than young adults not enrolled in college. Young adults in the military are also more likely to have a drinking problem. Young men are more likely to drink than women.
“Additionally, consuming too much alcohol can affect your health in the long-term. Some side effects may lay dormant for years before they surface. Because of this, professional medical care is required for proper diagnosis and treatment,” they added.
GhanaPA urged the authorities to regulate the hours, days and intensity of alcohol outlets and that raising the national legal age limit for drinking and consuming alcohol can be another effective strategy that can be used to reduce alcohol use and harm.
The Alliance was formed in 2019 by an amalgamation of Nine(9) Civil Society Organizations working towards advancing the vision of a healthy Nation through policy development and advocacy. It has a mission of contributing to the elimination of alcohol related harms in Ghana.
By Gertrude Edem Amuzu
