Alcohol Consumption Claims 6 Lives Every 6 Minutes – WHO Warns

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised fresh concerns over the global burden of alcohol use, revealing that harmful drinking leads to three million deaths every year, the equivalent of six deaths every six minutes.

According to WHO, although alcohol has long been part of many cultures, its health risks remain severe and wide-ranging. It is associated with numerous diseases, injuries, and preventable deaths.

The organisation highlighted that alcohol is responsible for all alcohol-use disorders, 18% of suicides, 18% of interpersonal violence, 27% of traffic injuries, and 13% of epilepsy cases. It also contributes to 48% of liver cirrhosis, 26% of mouth cancers, 26% of pancreatitis cases, 20% of tuberculosis, 11% of colorectal cancer, 5% of breast cancer, and 7% of hypertensive heart disease.

These alarming statistics were shared at the 2nd High-Level Stakeholders Meeting on the implementation of Ghana’s National Alcohol Policy (NAP) 2016, organised in Accra by the Alcohol Policy Alliance – Ghana (GhanAPA). The meeting was themed: “Harnessing the Reset Agenda to stimulate healthy lifestyle, reduce health risks and promote wellness through the passage of the draft National Alcohol Control Regulations in Ghana.”

Representatives from multiple state agencies, including the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Health Service, Mental Health Authority, NHIA, National Road Safety Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, and West African Alcohol Alliance attended the event.

GhanAPA expressed deep concern about rising alcohol-related harm in the country. Data from the Mental Health Authority’s 2023 report recorded 3,765 cases of alcohol-related mental health disorders and 5,554 cases linked to other psychoactive substances.

The STEPS 2023 Report also revealed that 22.6% of Ghanaians aged 18–69 are current drinkers — with men accounting for 30.6% and women 14.5%. Additionally, a National Road Safety Authority study from 2014 identified alcohol as a major cause of road crashes in Ghana.

GhanAPA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national health strategies, including the National Health Policy (2020), the National Non-Communicable Diseases Policy (2022), and the National Alcohol Policy (2016). The group also referenced mandates under the Public Health Act, calling on the Health Minister to work with relevant agencies to finalise and implement a Legislative Instrument to regulate alcohol use.

Participants at the meeting issued a declaration urging government and stakeholders to prioritise full and coordinated implementation of the National Alcohol Policy. They called on the Ministry of Health and Parliament to fast-track the passage of the draft National Alcohol Control Regulations into law and to safeguard public health policies from commercial influence.

They further recommended that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and Parliament provide sustainable financing to ensure effective enforcement of the National Alcohol Policy.