The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in a collaborative effort, have conducted a two-day training program for various stakeholders aimed at eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products and advancing tobacco control in Ghana.
Sponsored by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat under the FCTC Project 2030, the initiative gathered officials from the FDA, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Revenue Authority, Economic and Organized Crime Office, National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Immigration Service, Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Tourism Authority, and others.
The program’s objectives included building the technical capacity of law enforcement agencies at the regional level, enhancing coordination mechanisms for tobacco control at sub-national levels, and creating awareness about the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.
Participants were also educated on their roles in implementing the protocol.
Speaking on the first day, Mr. Sebastian Mawuli Hotor, Regional Head of the FDA, expressed the region’s relatively low prevalence of tobacco smoking, attributing it to cultural norms.
He emphasized the FDA’s protective regulations, including night monitoring of entertainment facilities and training sessions to enforce anti-tobacco laws.
Mr. Hotor acknowledged the rise in illicit trade in the region and emphasized collaboration among stakeholders, especially at the borders, to address the issue.
The collaboration with the Regional House of Chiefs was also noted, indicating their interest in reducing tobacco use in line with customary procedures.
Dr. Alex Moyem Kombat, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Research and Policy at the Ghana Revenue Authority, outlined the GRA’s role in combating illicit tobacco trade.
He mentioned research indicating illicit trade at various borders and emphasized ongoing collaboration with stakeholders. The introduction of tax stamps on products was cited as a GRA initiative to combat illicit trade, with the public encouraged to use an authenticator app to report illicit findings.
Participants commended the FDA and its partners for the initiative, stressing the importance of strengthening collaborations among stakeholders to effectively implement the protocol and eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.
