The dire implications of alcohol consumption in the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were laid bare at a thought-provoking event organized by the Vision for Alternative Development (VALD) in collaboration with Movendi International, a global movement dedicated to development through alcohol prevention,
The event, held on August 8, 2023, served as a platform for stakeholders to underscore the urgent need for action, particularly in light of the impending implementation of Ghana’s National Alcohol Policy aimed at advancing both SDGs and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) within the nation.
Speaking virtually during the event, the President of Movendi International, Kristina Sperkova eloquently articulated the critical ways in which alcohol casts a shadow over the ambitions of SDGs. As the world grapples with goals ranging from eradicating poverty and ending hunger to ensuring equitable health access and gender equality, alcohol’s pervasive presence emerges as a formidable impediment. The tentacles of alcohol’s impact extend across various domains including education, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social harmony.
While it might be tempting to view alcohol consumption solely through the lens of individual choice, Sperkova compellingly framed the matter as a systemic concern with far-reaching ramifications. The nexus between alcohol and productivity losses was revealed as a startling factoid, with OECD countries reeling under the weight of a staggering $595 billion in productivity losses. This substantial economic toll raises a profound alarm bell about the potential of alcohol to stymie economic progress and undercut development aspirations.
The event further delved into the somber health implications of alcohol consumption. The increasing contribution of alcohol to the global disease burden, escalating from 2.6% in 1990 to 3.7% in 2019, paints a harrowing picture. Cancers, heart diseases, strokes, hypertension – the toll of alcohol on human health is a litany of maladies that extend beyond individual suffering to societal burdens.
An especially poignant point was made about the impact of alcohol on vulnerable populations, particularly children. Shockingly, in New Zealand, 45% of deaths from alcohol-related fires are children. Equally distressing is the revelation that children of parents grappling with severe alcohol use problems are 30% more likely to encounter violence.
Unearthing a policy measure that can drive meaningful change, Sperkova highlighted the pivotal role of alcohol taxation. This measure is hailed as not only curbing alcohol use but also infusing government coffers with revenue that can be channeled into prevention, rehabilitation, and broader societal welfare initiatives. This strategic convergence of public health and fiscal prudence underscores the potency of well-designed policy interventions.
Also speaking at the event was Labram Musah, Programme Director of VALD, who illuminated the harrowing state of alcohol consumption in Ghana, citing that a substantial 23.3% of the population consumes alcohol, with an estimated 2.1% indulging in heavy drinking. The repercussions are manifold, with alcohol-related diseases remaining outside the purview of the country’s National Health Insurance Scheme. This unfortunate omission has created a chasm in healthcare access, rendering the costs of treatment of alcohol-related diseases beyond the reach of many individuals.
Alcohol consumption in Ghana, as echoed by Mr Musah, is escalating at an alarming rate. A per capita consumption of 0.760 liters in 2020 which is a 5.5% escalation from the preceding year, has punctuated a mounting concern. This burgeoning alcohol consumption translates into tangible burdens on health systems, welfare structures, and societal cohesion.
A glimmer of hope has however, emerged through the unveiling of Ghana’s National Alcohol Policy, introduced in 2016, which seeks to regulate and mitigate the multifaceted challenges associated with alcohol. The policy, encompassing measures to control production, distribution, sale, advertising, and consumption, has set its sights on minimizing the adverse impact of alcohol on individuals, families, and society at large.
Its proactive approach to promoting abstinence, curbing harmful consumption, and aligning with global best practices positions Ghana at the forefront of battling this pervasive societal challenge.
The insights gleaned from this event not only unmask the stark realities of alcohol’s impact on development but also serve as a clarion call for comprehensive and integrated policy responses.
Movendi International, with its extensive network spanning 145 organizations across 56 countries, has harnessed the collective power of 5 million individual members and touched the lives of over 24 million people. Their concerted efforts, actions and initiatives underscore the imperative of addressing alcohol harm as a human rights issue resonating across personal, community, societal, and global dimensions.
As the world grapples with the intricate tapestry of sustainable development, the shadow cast by alcohol consumption underscores the need for concerted action. The event underscores that in the delicate interplay between health, economics, and social well-being, strategic policy measures like alcohol taxation and the National Alcohol Policy hold the promise of charting a course toward a future where development aspirations are liberated from the clutches of alcohol-related impediments. Only through collective action and coherent policy interventions can societies hope to navigate this complex landscape and steer the course toward a more prosperous and sustainable future.