The Ghana Public Health Association through its Advocacy for Health Campaign has called for an increase in taxation on sugary and energy beverages.
According to the group, the consumption of sugar sweetened and energy beverages contribute to an increase in cases of diabetes, obesity, kidney and heart diseases with their attendant mortality rates.
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the group took to the principal streets of Kumasi to sensitize the public on the effects of these beverages.
In a media engagement, the Project Lead, James Mckeown Amoah, has hinted that plans are advanced to engage law makers to introduce tax components on beverages.
“We are engaging policy makers to introduce tax components on beverages and when this is implemented it can help reduce the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages. Over 50 countries in the world including Mexico, South Africa, USA among others have introduced tax components on these beverages. Alcohol and Cigarettes were contributing to death rates and cancers but when taxes were introduced on them, it has helped reduce the health implications and death rates,” he stressed.
He added saying “beyond our public education, it is obvious that when tax components are introduced on these beverages, they will become more expensive hence only a few will be able to purchase them. The consumption and addiction to sugar sweetened beverages can affect your eyes, cause tooth decay, stroke, diabetes, mental disorder. It is better to practice a healthy lifestyle than waste your resources on tests and the treatment of these non communicable diseases.”
He reiterated that to reduce the over-comsumption of sugars and halt the epidemic of obesity and diabetes, countries need comprehensive action plans that combine taxation, education and restriction of marketing of sugary beverages.
A dietician at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Cynthia Pomaa Asante, cautioned the public on excessive use of sugar and advised parents to refrain from giving their wards beverages as snacks.
“It is normal to add sugar to your food but it is more healthy and advisable to take fruits, honey and other natural plants that contain natural sugar. Most drinks are not good for kids. They may write natural sugar on them but no packaged products contains natural sugar,” she implored.
The advocates further called on the public to resort to heathier lifestyle, exercise more and to refrain from sugar sweetened products and beverages.
By Issah Zakariah|AkomaFM|Onuaonline.com
