By Eugene Nyarko Jnr.
Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana (VAST Ghana) has called for stronger alcohol control policies following the publication of new international scientific evidence indicating that alcohol-related health risks begin at lower levels of consumption than previously believed and increase significantly beyond one drink per day.
The organisation said the findings reinforce the need for government, policymakers, health professionals and the public to intensify efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm through stronger regulation, public education and evidence-based policy interventions.
In a statement issued on July 10, 2026, VAST Ghana said the study, titled “Alcohol Intake and Health Study,” was published on June 8, 2026, in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
According to the organisation, the researchers found that health risks increase progressively with alcohol consumption and become substantially greater after one drink per day, challenging the long-held perception that moderate alcohol consumption is either harmless or beneficial.
VAST Ghana noted that the findings are consistent with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2023 declaration that no level of alcohol consumption can be regarded as safe for human health, stressing that the risk begins with the first drink and increases with every additional one consumed.
The organisation said the latest evidence adds to a growing body of independent scientific research linking alcohol consumption to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, injuries and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
It explained that the study had also been highlighted by Movendi International, a global alcohol policy organisation, which described it as a landmark contribution to understanding alcohol-related harm and reaffirmed that alcohol policies should be guided by public health evidence rather than commercial interests.
VAST Ghana further observed that the publication comes at a time of growing international debate over alcohol guidelines, industry influence and the role of independent science in shaping public health policy.
The statement referenced reports by international media outlets, including STAT News, Scientific American and NBC News, which raised concerns about delays and alleged sidelining of important alcohol research during recent reviews of the United States Dietary Guidelines.
Ghana’s Situation
VAST Ghana said alcohol consumption remains a significant but often under-recognised contributor to Ghana’s increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, liver and kidney diseases, mental health disorders and road traffic injuries.
It cited findings from Ghana’s 2023 WHO-supported STEPS Survey, which showed that 22.6 per cent of Ghanaian adults currently consume alcohol, with the prevalence rising to 30.6 per cent among men.
The organisation also noted that the Mental Health Authority recorded 3,765 alcohol-related mental health disorders in 2023, while non-communicable diseases account for nearly 45 per cent of all deaths in the country.
According to VAST Ghana, widespread alcohol advertising, sponsorships, digital marketing and social influences continue to normalise alcohol use, particularly among young people, despite increasing public health awareness campaigns.
It added that the health, social and economic consequences of harmful alcohol use are borne by individuals, families, communities and the national healthcare system.
Recommendations
VAST Ghana urged the government to integrate alcohol harm prevention more prominently into Ghana’s national response to non-communicable diseases by recognising alcohol as a major preventable risk factor.
It also called for stricter enforcement of restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship and digital marketing, particularly those targeting children and young people.
The organisation further recommended expanded public education on the links between alcohol use and major diseases, protection of public health policymaking from commercial interference, and the introduction of fiscal and regulatory measures, including health taxes, mandatory health warnings and tighter controls on alcohol marketing.
VAST Ghana said Ghana’s achievements in tobacco control demonstrate that evidence-based public health policies can successfully reduce preventable harm and should serve as a model for strengthening alcohol control measures.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting practical, evidence-based public health interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-related diseases, protecting young people and promoting healthier communities across the country.
