By Albert Allotey
Accra, Oct. 4, GNA – The Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), has joined the globe to mark the 2025 World Alcohol-Free Day, with a call on African leaders to enforce existing alcohol policies to protect their youth.
The day is on the theme: “Enjoy More,” urging nations to stand united to reclaim the energy of school, sports, innovation, and the families to raise children of hope, not heartache.
A statement issued by Mr Labram Musah, Executive Director, and Mr Godfred Tweneboah-Kodua, Youth Advocate of VAST-Ghana respectively, said, “As young Ghanaians, we are demanding change that protects our families and futures.”
“To turn words into wins, we urge the Ministry of Health to complete the alcohol regulation development process, and its passage while building on the May 2025 WHO-SAFER workshop in Ghana that called for stricter marketing bans, age limits, and taxation to curb youth access.”
The statement quoted Mr Tweneboah-Koduah as saying, the theme highlighted the joy connected to alcohol-free environments, events and lives, proving citizens could enjoy more without alcohol.
He noted that growing and existing evidence had shown that alcohol harms individuals and entire communities, saying, “We have seen young men pushed toward alcohol as a sign of strength, only to be left with addiction and broken futures. These are human costs we can no longer accept.
“Choosing alcohol-free lives gives us the power to enjoy more freedom, more dignity, and more opportunities. Young people who stay away from alcohol perform better in school, develop healthier coping skills, and dream bigger and families that choose alcohol-free celebrations feel more connected.”
Mr Musah on his part, said in the statement that the 2025 World Alcohol-Free Day create the chance for the youth to rewrite the story to let the world see that they were a generation that dared to say no to harm and yes to life.
“We are not saying that joy must disappear. Our sports, our parties, and our festivals can be more alive when everyone is safe, when memories are clear, and when health is protected,” he said, adding, “To enjoy more is to live with open eyes, strong hearts, and unbroken futures.”
He further stated “Enjoy More is our vision for ourselves, our families, and our communities. When we choose alcohol-free lives, we choose more hope, more love, and more future. This is the world we are building, and we invite everyone to join us.”
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah