The Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA) has called on the government to continue to comprehensively implement the excise taxes on sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) to help in preventing diseases.
It said the consumption of SSB had largely contributed to NCDs such as diabetes and led to overweight and obesity in children who later develop other diet-related diseases in life.
In 2023 the government instituted the Excise Duty Amendment Act, 2023 (Act1108) to discourage the consumption of unhealthy products such as SSBs and to reduce their negative impact on public health.
A statement by Ms Mary Yayra Kpogo, the Director of Programmes, INSLA and copied to the Ghana News Agency therefore called on the government to disregard the call by the Food and Beverages Association Ghana (FABAG) to reverse or remove the excise taxes.
It said, “The FABAG’s demand is a call to favour a profit-driven motives rather than public health concern. Eliminating excise taxes will be a bad move that will sacrifice the well-being of Ghanaians on the altar of corporate greed.”
“Public health crises would worsen, and healthcare costs would rise. Government cannot afford to give in to self-interest and narratives motivated by profit but rather that safeguard the health of citizens, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure that public health is not sacrificed for economic advancement,” the statement stressed.
It said globally, such excise taxes had proven effective in reducing smoking rates, alcohol-related harm, and consumption of foods and SSBs implicated in diet-related diseases like obesity and diabetes.
The statement said revenue from SSB tax had significantly increased since its introduction, adding that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) reports that following the introduction of SSB tax in April 2023, revenue soared to GHC1,325.57 million in 2023, up from GHC735.46 million in 2022.
The INSLA urged the government and development implementing partners to implement SSB taxes in full, along with other public health policies (like front-of-pack labelling, restrictions on the marketing of health-harming products, and public food procurement policies), rather than heeding FANAG’s demand.
“When government heeds to this call from FABAG it is automatically working against the vision of Ghana’s National NCDs Policy that seeks to attain a healthy population for national development through a reduction in the burden of NCDs,” the statement said.
It said, “The demand for water, sugar-free beverages, and natural fruit-based drinks is increasing, so industry players need to innovate and focus their production of promoting healthier alternatives rather than calling for the removal of SSB taxes.
“Because businesses that embrace this shift will not only be able to adjust to shifting consumer preferences but also improve national health outcomes.”
The INSLA urged the public to take charge of their health by saying no to sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and unhealthy diets and embrace healthier diets options and lifestyles.
GNA
