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Increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, sugary products — WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to protect public health.
At a virtual press conference on Tuesday, held during the launch of WHO’s two new global reports on taxes on sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said the organisation is supporting countries to sustain health services and mobilise domestic resources to reduce aid dependency.
“One of the most effective tools available to governments is health taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. Such taxes have consistently been shown to reduce consumption of harmful products, prevent disease, and ease the burden on overstretched health systems,” he highlighted.
Dr Ghebreyesus said that health taxes generate reliable revenue that governments could invest in health, education, and social protection.
In 2024, WHO launched its “3 by 35 Initiative,” aimed at supporting countries to increase the real prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks through health taxes by 2035.
Dr Ghebreyesus stressed that health taxes are not a “set it and forget it” solution, noting that they must be carefully designed and regularly adjusted to remain effective.
The two new global reports show that in most countries, taxes on alcoholic beverages and sugary drinks remain too low, poorly structured, infrequently updated, and rarely aligned with public health objectives. They indicate that alcoholic beverages and sugary drinks have become more affordable over time, even as noncommunicable diseases, injuries, and related healthcare costs continue to rise.
The taxation approach aligns with Ghana’s efforts to boost revenue for health financing amid rising noncommunicable diseases. In 2023, Ghana implemented a 20 per cent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, including sodas, energy drinks, and sweetened juices, through the Excise Duty Amendment Act. The measure sought to curb consumption and promote health.
The WHO cited evidence from several countries demonstrating the impact of well-designed health taxes. In the Philippines, a major tobacco and alcohol tax reform in 2013 increased revenues more than fivefold, enabling the expansion of national health insurance coverage to over 15 million poor families.
In Lithuania, a sharp increase in alcohol taxes in 2017 was followed by an almost five per cent reduction in all-cause mortality the following year. In the United Kingdom, a sugary drinks tax introduced in 2018 reduced sugar consumption, generated £338 million in revenue in 2024 alone, and was linked to lower obesity rates among girls aged 10 and 11, particularly in deprived communities.
WHO said that in 2024, countries including Malaysia, Mauritius, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam introduced or increased taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. In 2025, India introduced a new excise duty on tobacco, while Saudi Arabia implemented a tiered excise tax on sugary drinks, with higher rates for products containing more sugar.
WHO said it looks forward to supporting more countries, including those in Africa, to design and implement effective health taxes as part of broader efforts to protect public health and build resilient, self-financed health systems. -GNA
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Traders have returned to the streets of Accra, occupying pavements and stretches of some roads after the last major decongestion exercise.
The exercise, which was aimed at restoring order in areas like Kingsway, CMB, Rawlings Park, Tudu etc, have now been defeated.
From Kingsway to Rawlings Park, traders display several wares including, footwear, herbal medicines, plastic products, fresh fish, second-hand clothing, and vegetables, among others.
Local Evangelists are also not left out as they scramble for spaces on the streets.
Pedestrians, therefore, find it difficult to move around when shopping, due to the human and vehicular congestion created by the traders.
In an interview with The Spectator, Auntie Abigail, a trader, said her return to the streets was to sell more, and she saw nothing wrong with it.
Hajia, who deals in wholesale items, indicated that they were unable to make sales as their colleagues move to the pavement and since customers don’t want to come inside, they prefer to buy from them.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has given traders a grace period to go back to their shops.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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The Keta Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region has reported a surge in mumps cases, sparking concerns among residents in the area.
The disease, caused by a viral infection, has spread rapidly in the Municipality, with about 50 persons reportedly affected in the Keta township.
Madam Tsoeke Dzorgbenyui Seanefu, a nurse at the Keta Municipal Health Directorate, disclosed that mumps is a highly contagious disease that affects the salivary glands and presents symptoms such as facial swelling, fever, and headache. She linked the outbreak to poor hygiene and overcrowding.
“The causes of mumps include the mumps virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets, contact with infected saliva, and contaminated surfaces,” she said.
She explained that symptoms include swelling of the parotid glands, fever, headache, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. In some cases, complications such as meningitis or orchitis may occur.
Madam Seanefu emphasised that mumps spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or respiratory droplets, sharing food, drinks, or utensils, and touching contaminated surfaces.
“Those at highest risk of contracting mumps include unvaccinated children and adults, people living in crowded areas, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The effects of mumps can be severe, including meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord), orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), and oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries),” she added.
To prevent or curb mumps, she advised residents to visit hospitals or the nearest health centre for vaccination (MMR vaccine), practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly under running water, avoid sharing food, drinks, or utensils, and stay away from infected individuals.
She urged residents to prioritise hygiene and seek medical attention early if symptoms persist.
She noted that mumps cases are treatable with rest, hydration, and pain management, but medical attention is crucial to prevent complications.
The Keta Municipal Health Directorate is closely monitoring the situation and working to contain the outbreak through public education on mumps, its treatment, and vaccination services for affected individuals. – GNA
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