Our Programmes And Milestones

1. Narcotics, Illicit Drugs and Substance Abuse Programme:

a. Narcotics Control Act 1019 of 2020

INSLA assumed the hosting of the CSO’s Coalition on Narcotic Control Commission Law (CNCCL) National Secretariat in December 2019. The CNCCL represents a common voice of prevention NGOs working to advance the implementation of the recommendation of UNGASS World Drug Problem. INSLA made recommendations to strengthen the 2019 Narcotic Control Bill during the Parliamentary Public Hearing in April and May 2019 at the Parliament House in Accra. INSLA has a cordial working relationship with the Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC). The Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC) Act 1019 was passed into law in 2020. INSLA and CNCCL are currently planning to engage Ghana’s Narcotic Control Commission on the implementation and enforcement of the Act.

b. Community Anti-Drug Coalitions:

INSLA replicated an ambitious process of establishing Community Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Coalition in each community in Ghana to help address illicit drug use, a workshop for community leaders comprising Assembly Members and Youth leaders was held in Accra. Participants are currently mobilizing and establishing their community coalitions based on the module of the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA).

c. Smart International:

In ensuring that, in-school youth are prevented and kept informed on the dangers of illicit drug and substance use and abuse, INSLA in collaboration with Smart International based in Sweden is establishing Smart Clubs in schools based on the one year contract module. This module ensures that, school kids who are able to abstain from illicit drug and substance use are rewarded.

2. Alcohol Prevention and Control Programme:

a. Implementation of the Ghana National Alcohol Policies (NAP)

INSLA has since 2018 mounted a public stance supporting and defending the ban on alcohol advertisement on radio and television. Celebrities have also been ban from alcohol advertisement, the directives was issued by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in accordance with Public Health Act 2012. The ban is to protect minors and other vulnerable groups from alcohol related harm. INSLA together with GhanAPA and in-collaboration with WHO Ghana, MOH Ghana and FDA Ghana are supporting and reviewing the draft National Alcohol Regulations (Legislations).

b. Ghana Alcohol Policy Alliance (GhnAPA)

INSLA currently Chair’s and host the National Secretariat of the Alcohol Policy Alliance – Ghana (GhanAPA).

3. Healthy Diet, Nutrition and Health Programme:

a. Outreach and sensitization on bad eating habit

The rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana is associated with unhealthy diet. Salty food, Fatty (saturated) food and sugary drinks/sugar sweeten beverages and artificial sweeten beverages have been implicated to cause high blood pressure (hypertension), heart diseases, stroke, obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, etc. INSLA has produced and distributed materials on ‘Healthy Diet, Wealthy Ghana’ to generate public debate towards policy initiative. The flyer has key policy recommendation, which includes nutrition labelling (Nutri-score), graphic health warning, ban/restrictions (marketing, advertising, sponsorship, etc), subsidies for natural fruits and vegetable growers and distributors and tax and price measures.

b. Industrially produced Trans Fatty Acids (iTFA) Elimination.

INSLA is currently implementing a project aimed at eliminating Trans-fatty Acids (TFAs) in Ghana’s food and food production chain. INSLA is collaborating with CSOs, the Media, Ministry of Health, Food and Drugs Authority, etc to implement the World Health Organization (WHO) REPLACE Trans-Fat Technical Package in Ghana. INSLA has issued an advocacy and awareness creation materials on the negative health impact of TFA.

c. Healthy Public Food Procurement and Service Policies (PFP).

Considering the absence and/or lack of legal regime to regulate the content of food sold in the public places, INSLA in-collaboration with CSOs and the media have embarked on a campaign to pressure government to implement the World Health Organization (WHO) Healthy Public Food Procurement and Service Policies (PFP) in Ghana. The implementation of PFP in Ghana is expected to reduce the intake of sugar and salt, eliminate bad oil and fats, and encourage the consumption of fruits, vegetable, nuts, etc and drinking and provision of free clean water to the population. INSLA has issued a CSOs position paper with recommendations on PFP

4. Physical Activity and Health Programme:

a. Outreach, sensitization and policy campaign physical activities

INSLA and the Centre for the Study of Physical Activity and Sports Development, Department of Physical Education and Sports of the University of Ghana (UG) have been advocating for the development of a comprehensive National Physical Activity Policy to help address the challenges of in-activities among Ghana’s population. INSLA has further developed and distributed educational, communications and information materials known as ‘Physical Activity if Life’ to the general public on how to stay active. INSLA and other stakeholders are planning a National Stakeholder’s Consultative Dialogue on the Promotion and Development of a National Physical Activity Policy and Programme for Ghana to implement the Global Physical Activity Action Plan (GPAAP).

b. Regional physical activity initiatives

INSLA was a member of the Local Organizing Committee that planned the International Conference on Physical Activity, Sports for Health and Development in Africa (IC-PUSHDA) at the University of Ghana in 2018.

5. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) Programme:

a. Outreach and sensitization on UHC

INSLA has advocated for the expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to include NCD disease conditions in their coverage especially those affecting the poor. In seeking public and media support, INSLA published articles calling on government to adopt price and tax measures so as to generate revenue to invest in NCDs prevention, management and UHC. Data from Ghana’s National Covid-19 Committee revealed that, almost all reported deaths attributed to Coronavirus in Ghana have underling health conditions, the major conditions stated by the President of Ghana are Hypertension, diabetes and Liver diseases.

6. COVID-19 and pandemic:

a. Outreach and sensitization on Covid-19

INSLA has developed a page guide for public educators and also embarked on an outreach public sensitization to call for the protection and support for People Living with NCDs and to enable the general public to adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures and treatments. With support of ATCA, INSLA organized media events and engagement meetings to caution and expose the interferences of the tobacco industry in the planning, management and control of Covid-19 pandemic.