Trendtype, Feb 5, 2026
The government of Ghana has announced on February 3rd 2026, the Alcohol Control Regulations Bill in Parliament, aiming to tighten rules on the advertisement and marketing of alcoholic beverages. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga confirmed that the legislation will enable the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to set clear guidelines on how alcohol is promoted, specifically targeting broadcast times and sponsorships that reach vulnerable groups.
The bill will be laid before the House in the coming weeks for debate. Civil society organisations, health professionals, and industry players will be consulted during the legislative process.
The legislation has been pushed by advocacy groups like GhanAPA to curb rising alcohol abuse, which cite data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ghana Health Service to support claims of a significant prevalence of drinking among minors, with over 12% of students aged 11-19 identified as active users.
Guinness Ghana Breweries is the overall market leader in beer in Ghana. In January 2025, Diageo sold its 80.4% shareholding in the company to the Castel Group. The company portfolio includes beers like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Star Beer, and Gulder, as well as popular spirits and RTDs such as Orijin, Smirnoff Ice, and Gilbey’s Gin. It also distributes Diageo’s premium imported spirits like Johnnie Walker, Baileys, and Cîroc, all of which may be impacted by the legislation’s new marketing constraints.
Accra Brewery Limited (ABL), a subsidiary of AB InBev, is another major brewer in Ghana. It brews Club Beer, arguably the most culturally significant lager in Ghana, alongside Club Shandy and Eagle Lager. In December 2025, Club Beer was unveiled as the “Official Beer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup” in Ghana. The new bill’s restrictions on sports sponsorship (specifically those accessible to minors or aired during the day) could complicate this partnership.
Ghana is not the only country to introduce more measures around alcohol. Several countries have banned the sale of sachet alcohol: in December 2025, Nigeria enforced a ban on sachets and small bottles. Kenya introduced strict alcohol reforms in June 2025, raising the drinking age to 21, banning online deliveries, and enforcing zoning laws to keep bars at least 300 metres from schools.