Taxes build nations: a national stakeholders conference on the implementation of food-related health taxes in Ghana

The Advocating for Health Coalition aimed at creating a favorable environment and stakeholder buy-in for food-related fiscal policies in Ghana, organized a National Stakeholders Conference under the theme “Taxes Build Nations: Evidence-Informed Health Taxes Saves Lives”. Held on March 28th at the Sun Lodge Hotel in Accra, the conference brought together key stakeholders from government…

Prospects of sugar-sweetened beverages taxation: Sour consequences or sweet solution?

In the ongoing battle against rising rates of obesity and diet-related diseases, the ubiquitous consumption of sugary drinks has soared ever so highly over the past few decades that the idea of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has gained momentum worldwide. Proponents argue that such taxation could be a sweet solution to a “bitter” health crisis.…

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Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages a win-win for Ghana’s public health strategy

Advocating for Health Project: Members of Advocating for Ghana’s Health Coalition present a petition to Ghanaian parliamentarians on Nov. 15, 2022, in Accra, Ghana. Ghana has passed a tax bill on sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce the country’s high sugar consumption and associated health problems. The move follows a successful advocacy campaign from a coalition of…

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The Mounting Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Savannah Belt of Ghana and its Implication on Livelihoods

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), often known as chronic diseases, are non-transmissible illnesses of often long-term or long duration. They include heart diseases and stroke (cardiovascular diseases – CVDs), diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer and mental health conditions just to mention a few. They are driven primarily by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors…

The effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on health

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are non-dairy or non-alcoholic beverages that have caloric sweeteners added to it. More simply, they are drinks with the largest source of added sugar in the diet. They include carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks/sodas, flavored/fruit juice drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened tea and coffee drinks, and electrolyte replacement drinks. Added sugars…