Some citizens consume more sugary drink, despite Ghana beverage tax – Report
Ghana’s sweetened beverage tax may have limited impact on changing consumption habits among low-income communities unless accompanied by improved public education, according to research findings.
The study, conducted by researchers from Ghana and the United States, suggested that a better tax design and investment in access to safe drinking water was essential to reducing sugary drinks intake among the public.
It was led by Dr Christopher Delali Amegah and Dr Gloria Adobea Odei Obeng-Amoako of the University of Ghana, together with Professor Seth Adu-Afarwuah, Professor Monica Lambon-Quayefio and Professor Shu Wen Ng of the University of North Carolina.
It examined the experiences of low-income households in four peri-urban communities in Accra after Ghana introduced a 20 per cent excise tax on bottled water and sweetened beverages.
The researchers found that despite the introduction of a 20 per cent excise tax on bottled water and sweetened beverages in 2023, many consumers continued to purchase sweetened beverages, with taste, convenience, affordability and long-standing habits shaping their choices.
The report showed that awareness on the beverage tax remained relatively low, with only 55.8 per cent of respondents indicating they knew about the policy, while almost half had no knowledge of it.
“Even among those who were aware, many did not clearly understand how the tax worked and often associated general increases in beverage prices with the tax,” it said.
The study revealed that almost 70 per cent of households purchased commercial sweetened beverages, mainly carbonated drinks, and many consumed them frequently, with about two-thirds buying them daily or three to four times every week.
Taste emerged as the strongest factor influencing beverage choices, followed by convenience, availability and health perceptions.
Participants explained that the sweetness of beverages, the availability of chilled drinks, and easy access through nearby shops and tricycle vendors made them attractive despite increasing prices.
It said children’s preferences also played an important role in household purchasing decisions, with parents often buying specific brands requested by their children or switching to cheaper alternatives rather than eliminating sweetened beverages from their diets.
The study found that when faced with rising prices, some households moved from expensive commercial beverages to cheaper local alternatives such as sobolo, asana and lamugin, while others continued buying their preferred drinks because of established habits and cravings.
Although many participants recognised the relationship between excessive sugary drink consumption and diabetes, awareness of links between sweetened beverages, obesity and other health risks remained low.
The study also showed mixed reactions towards Ghana’s beverage taxation policy. While slightly more than half of participants supported the taxation of sweetened beverages, nearly two-thirds opposed the taxation of bottled water, arguing that water is a basic human necessity that should remain affordable.
The researchers recommended a review of the current tax structure to create a clearer price difference between sugary beverages and healthier options, while strengthening public awareness campaigns on the health risks of excessive sugar intake.
Source: GNA