The Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), has called for urgent government action to protect women from violence by addressing the role of alcohol in fueling abuse. The organization made the appeal as the world marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Mr. Labram Musah, Executive Director of VAST-Ghana, highlighted the strong correlation between alcohol misuse and heightened risk of violence against women and girls. “Ghana cannot protect women and girls when alcohol remains easy to obtain, widely advertised, and poorly controlled,” he stressed.
Citing statistics from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, Mr. Musah noted that 41.6 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced intimate partner violence, with at least one in four facing physical, economic, psychological, or sexual abuse. He emphasized that alcohol consumption exacerbates these harms, increasing the likelihood and severity of abuse.
To tackle the issue, VAST-Ghana urged policymakers to finalize and pass the Alcohol Control Legislative Instrument, which would provide a strong legal framework to regulate sales, enforce age limits, control advertising, and hold industry actors accountable. “Protecting women requires confronting the environments that enable violence,” Mr. Musah said.
The organization also called on key government agencies to take coordinated action:
The Ministry of Health to finalize the draft Alcohol Control Regulation.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection to integrate alcohol-related harms into national gender-based violence strategies.
The Ministry of Finance to use tax reforms to limit alcohol affordability and fund survivor services.
The Food and Drugs Authority to enforce guidelines on marketing, packaging, and distribution of alcohol.
The Ghana Police Service to strengthen community policing and promptly handle alcohol-related violence reports.
The National Commission for Civic Education and Ghana Education Service to educate communities on the link between alcohol and violence.
Civil society and community leaders to raise awareness on the impact of alcohol on women’s safety.
VAST-Ghana emphasized the need for evidence-based research to inform interventions and policy development. “Alcohol harm is preventable, and its impact can be reduced through strong and evidence-based policies,” the organization stated.
Concluding, Mr. Musah reaffirmed VAST-Ghana’s commitment to supporting the government and communities in building a safer society. “Every woman has the right to live free from violence. With political will, strong laws, and decisive action, Ghana can create an environment where women and girls live with dignity, protection, and equal opportunity,” he said.
