WAAPA and Regional Alcohol Policy Alliances consult with WHO Africa Region
The African Alcohol Policy Alliance (AAPA) which comprised of the West African Alcohol Policy Alliance (WAAPA), East African Alcohol Policy Alliance (EAAPA) and Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA). Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) and IOGT (Movendi) International held a consultative meeting in Brazzaville, Congo.
The discussion centred on alcohol control and prevention in the Africa (AFRO) Region and collaboration between World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Regional Office and Alcohol policy advocates in Africa.
Some of the key conclusion, recommendations and action points includes:
1. Provision of technical assistance to Member States in the AFRO Region on gaps identified in the Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health.
2. Resource mobilization for alcohol control and prevention initiatives in the Africa Region.
3. Inclusion of Regional Progress Report on alcohol control in the WHO Regional Committee Meetings for Africa
4. Support to Member States in AFRO Region on the development and implementation of National Multi-Sectorial Coordinating Committee on Alcohol Control, National Alcohol Policies and National Alcohol Control Programme.
5. Designation of a Regional Focal Point for Alcohol Control.
6. Facilitate Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM) and Information Sharing System (ISS) on alcohol control among stakeholders and partners.
Representatives from the WHO Africa Regional Office includes Dr Steven Shongwe; Director of NCDs, Prof Jean-Marie Dangou; NCD Coordinator for Primary Programme, Dr Mohamed Ould Sidi Mohamed; Inter-Country Support Team, Mr Prebo Barango; NCD Focal Point, Zimbabwe and Dr Florence Bainganaf; Consultant, Mental Health, Substance Abuse.
Representing the Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance are Dr Franklin C. Umenze; Chairman, WAAPA, Mr Issah Ali; Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA)/WAAPA and Mr William Ntakuka; EAAPA/IOGT (Movendi) International
