The Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana), a civil society organisation, has called on the government to tighten enforcement of laws regulating sugar-sweetened beverages, while closing existing regulatory loopholes.
In a statement issued to mark this year’s International Youth Day, themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” VAST-Ghana Executive Director Labram M. Musah urged authorities to impose higher, earmarked taxes on harmful products to safeguard young people.
The organisation stressed that the theme aligns with its mission of protecting youth from health-harming products while advancing global goals, particularly SDG 3.4 (reducing premature deaths from non-communicable diseases), SDG 3.5 (preventing substance abuse), and SDG 3.a (strengthening tobacco control).
The statement also raised concerns over the growing popularity of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are fuelling obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related illnesses in Ghana. These products, it said, are cheap, widely accessible, and heavily advertised to children and young adults, reported CediRates.
Citing recommendations from the African Health Sovereignty Summit held in Ghana, the group emphasised the proven benefits of higher taxes on harmful products. “Higher, earmarked taxes deter youth initiation, reduce consumption among vulnerable groups, and generate revenue for prevention and rehabilitation programmes,” the statement noted.
The organisation also called for the adoption of evidence-based front-of-pack warning labels to guide healthier food choices and shield consumers from misleading marketing. It urged the government to intensify efforts against shisha smoking, vaping, alcohol misuse, and excessive sugar consumption, ensuring youth participation in all advocacy efforts.
“We envision a movement led by empowered youth, equipped with knowledge and resolve to reject harmful trends and champion a healthy, sustainable future,” the statement said.
VAST-Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to work with schools, communities, faith-based organisations, and the media to spread awareness. “The youth of Ghana are not just the future; they are the heartbeat of our nation today,” it declared, pledging to continue efforts to protect young people from harmful industries.
