Civil society groups warn of alcohol crisis, launch shadow report on global action plan

Published: August 25, 2025

MONROVIA — Civil society groups in Liberia have raised concerns about alcohol abuse, releasing a shadow report that states government inaction and weak policies are contributing to an increasing public health crisis.

The report, released last Thursday at the end of a three-day workshop in Monrovia, assesses Liberia’s progress in implementing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030. It identifies enforcement gaps and urges urgent measures to reduce alcohol-related harm, placing Liberia’s efforts within a larger regional and global context.

Saudu Swaray, the event’s special guest, warned that the dangers of alcohol are often underestimated. “Be aware that alcohol causes infertility, violence, liver damage and risks the lives of many,” he said, urging increased efforts for prevention, treatment, and supporting victims.

Issah Ali, vice president of the Ghana Alcohol Policy Alliance and a representative of the West African Alcohol Policy Alliance (WAAPA), said Liberia’s shadow report signifies more than just documentation. “This launch is more than just a release of a document; it represents an important moment for civil society in Liberia and across the region,” he said. Ali noted WAAPA’s technical and resource support has helped Liberia connect local advocacy with regional and global alcohol-control efforts.

Liberia Alcohol Policy Alliance coordinator Roseline Thomas Richards called the draft legislation under review “a blueprint for change.” She encouraged participants to promote open dialogue, evidence-based solutions, and community-led reforms to reduce alcohol misuse, which she said continues to harm public health, safety, and development across the country.

The launch was attended by representatives of ECOWAS, the Carter Center, Partners in Health, and other partners, underscoring the issue’s regional significance.

The Global Alcohol Action Plan, adopted by WHO member states in 2022, aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by 20 percent by 2030. Liberia’s shadow report aligns the country with this international effort and urges national leaders to turn commitments into concrete laws and actions.