By Buertey Francis BORYOR
The Executive Director of Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST Ghana), Labram Musah, has called on the government to ignore demands from the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) to reverse the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).
Speaking at a Capacity-Building Seminar on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) for journalists, civil society organizations, and persons living with NCDs in Accra, Musah stressed that the tax as a vital public health measure aimed at reducing the growing burden of diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions.
He dismissed FABAG’s claims that the levy has negatively impacted local businesses, pointing to data from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) that shows a significant increase in revenue since the tax was introduced in 2023.
“The GRA reports that, the total excise revenue from SSB was GH₵228.62 million in 2012, GH₵406.02 million in 2017, and GH₵735.46 million in 2022. Following the introduction of the new tax in April 2023, revenue soared to GH₵1.325.57 million in 2023. This tax is not just about raising money for the government; it is about saving lives and reducing the cost of healthcare,” Musah said.
He also highlighted the global success of similar taxes, noting that over 47 countries and 16 smaller jurisdictions have implemented SSB taxes to reduce sugar consumption. He explained that these have led to fewer people buying sugary drinks and improved public health without causing job losses in the beverage or retail sectors. “The evidence is clear that these taxes work. They protect our children and young people from the harmful effects of sugary drinks,” he added.
He urged government to stand by its commitment to tackling NCDs, as outlined in the recent State of the Nation Address, further warning that- reversing the tax would undermine efforts to address the NCD crisis, including the introduction of MahamaCare.
“Public health must not be sacrificed for the sake of private profits. This tax is a proven solution, and scrapping it would be a step backward, undermining efforts to combat non-communicable diseases and harm long-term public health,” Musah stated.
The seminar was organised by Ghana NCD Alliance, in collaboration with Media Alliance in Tobacco Control and Health (MATCOH), and Private Newspapers & Online News Publishers Association of Ghana.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Chairman of MATCOH, underscored the urgent need to address the rising burden of NCDs in the country.
Speaking at the event, he revealed that NCDs now account for about 45 percent of all deaths in the nation, a figure that has been steadily increasing.
He described the situation as a critical issue that requires immediate attention. “The high cost of treatment, unequal access to healthcare, and lack of mental health support are making life difficult for people living with NCDs. These challenges are not only straining our healthcare system but also pushing families into poverty,” he said.
Furthermore, Wilson stressed the importance of the seminar as the country prepares for the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in September 2025. He explained that the event aims to equip journalists, civil society organisations, and individuals living with NCDs with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for stronger government action.
Additionally, he called on journalists and CSOs to play a more active role in communicating the importance of NCD prevention and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). While acknowledging the nation’s progress, such as the introduction of wellness clinics, annual health checks, and free dialysis for chronic kidney disease patients, Wilson stressed that more needs to be done. “We need increased investment in healthcare, especially in NCD prevention and mental health services. The road ahead is long, but together, we can make a difference,” he said.
