5 Reasons Parents in Ghana Give Their Children Sugary Drinks: No4 Is More Dangerous

• Understanding the Rising Trend of Sugary Drinks Among Ghanaian Children Is Critical To Taking a U-Turn Around the Practice. 
• The more you give your schoolchild sugary drinks, the more they stand the chance of serious health issues.

Across Ghana, sugary drinks have quietly become part of many children’s daily routines. From breakfast time to school break, social gatherings, and even bedtime, young children are increasingly consuming carbonated drinks, energy drinks, sweetened juices, and flavored beverages. While this trend seems normal to many families, it has serious long-term consequences for children’s health, behaviour, and future well-being. Understanding why this habit is growing is the first step toward reversing it.

5 Reasons Parents in Ghana Give Their Children Sugary Drinks

No.1: The Pressure to Fit In: “Everyone Is Doing It”

Many parents admit that they offer sugary drinks to their children simply because it has become a common practice around them. When they see other children carrying fizzy drinks to school or drinking them at social events, they feel pressured to conform. This desire to avoid being the “odd one out” pushes parents to adopt habits they may internally question. The challenge is that a harmful trend does not become healthy just because it is widespread. Parents must break free from societal pressure and prioritize their children’s wellbeing over public opinion.

No. 2: Sugary Drinks as a Symbol of Modernity

In some homes, sugary drinks represent sophistication and modern living. Parents feel that serving such beverages makes them appear advanced, exposed and up to date with current lifestyles. This mindset is especially strong among young parents who associate traditional practices with poverty or backwardness. Unfortunately, this misconception fuels an unhealthy culture where processed drinks replace natural options like water, fruits and homemade beverages. True modern parenting is not about copying trends but understanding the impact of daily choices on a child’s long-term health.

No.3: The Belief That “We Can Afford It”

For some families, sugary drinks are used as a demonstration of financial capability. Parents may feel that providing these beverages shows that they are doing well and can offer their children the best. However, the idea that sugary drinks represent wealth is flawed. In reality, the long-term financial burden of treating sugar-related health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and dental decay far outweighs the short-term pride of buying such drinks regularly. Health is the true measure of wealth, and protecting a child’s wellbeing is far more valuable than displaying the ability to buy unhealthy foods.

No. 4: Using Sugary Drinks to Pamper, Convince or Manipulate Children

Many Ghanaian parents use sugary drinks as a reward system. Some offer them to stop a child from crying, others use them to persuade their children to go to school, complete chores or behave in a certain manner. These habits teach children to expect emotional satisfaction from food, a pattern that leads to overeating, addiction to sweetness and poor emotional regulation. When sugary drinks become a tool for manipulation or bribery, children learn to value instant pleasure over discipline, patience and self-control.

No. 5: The Habit of Using Sugary Drinks as a Quick Fix for Tantrums

In busy households, especially where parents are overwhelmed, sugary drinks become an easy solution to silence a crying or restless child. This convenience comes at a high cost. It undermines behavioral development, teaches dependence on external comfort and damages the parent’s authority. Emotional challenges should be handled with communication, patience and guidance, not with sugar.

The Health Implications Parents Can No Longer Ignore

Regular consumption of sugary drinks among children leads to obesity, early-onset diabetes, tooth decay, weakened immunity and poor nutrition. These conditions affect schooling, confidence, athletic ability and overall development. A child who consumes high amounts of sugar also experiences increased hyperactivity, poor concentration and irregular mood swings. These health challenges extend into adulthood, creating chronic diseases that could have been prevented with proper childhood nutrition.

The Moral and Discipline Implications of Overindulging Children

Beyond physical health, the frequent provision of sugary drinks has moral and disciplinary consequences. Overindulgence teaches children entitlement, lack of restraint and dependence on external rewards. When unhealthy drinks are used to solve emotional or disciplinary issues, parents unintentionally weaken their influence and sabotage the child’s ability to develop strong character. Teaching discipline means saying no when necessary, even when it is uncomfortable.

Choosing Tough Love for a Better Future

Parenting requires courage, responsibility and the willingness to make difficult decisions. Reducing or eliminating sugary drinks may feel challenging at first, especially when children protest. However, parents must understand that protecting a child’s future is more important than giving them immediate gratification. Tough decisions today prevent serious health conditions tomorrow. Strong boundaries create disciplined, healthy and emotionally balanced children.

READ: Death Ahead: Long-Term Health Implications of Sugary Drinks on Ghanaian Children

The culture of sugar consumption among children is not just a personal issue; it is a national concern. Every parent plays a critical role in shaping the future health of Ghana’s youth. By understanding the reasons behind sugary drink consumption and taking deliberate steps to reverse this trend, parents can raise stronger, healthier, and more responsible children. The time to act is now.