The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in Ghana has initiated a comprehensive nationwide education campaign aimed at eliminating the illicit trade in tobacco and tobacco products.
The campaign is to equip relevant stakeholder agencies with a thorough understanding of the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol to effectively combat the trade of illegal tobacco. Stakeholders, including National Security, EOCO, Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, Customs Division, Passport Office, National Investigations Bureau, Ministry of Trade, Attorney-General’s Office, and traditional rulers, participated in a sensitization program in Dormaa Ahenkro, Bono Region.
Mavis Danso, a Principal Regulatory Officer at the FDA, emphasized the dire consequences of illicit tobacco trade, highlighting its impact on public health, government revenues, security, and its potential to foster corruption and organized crime.
Mavis Danso stressed the importance of collaboration among relevant bodies, emphasizing that teamwork is essential to effectively combat illicit trade in tobacco products.
She stated, “teamwork is the key, and we should be able to share information, celebrate our successes, offer the needed assistance to each other when necessary, build trust among ourselves and together we will make a headway in this fight.”
The FDA enforces regulations on tobacco and tobacco products, including a $15,000 annual registration fee for each tobacco product and mandatory FDA-approved Pictorial Health Warnings.
The Head of FDA for Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions, Madam Akua Amponsaa Owusu, emphasized the significance of the stakeholder engagement program in aligning strategies with global priorities.
She highlighted the National Tobacco Control Strategy, which is to protect present and future generations from the health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco use.
