Ghana Calls For Tobacco Control In Africa

Source from:  Footprint to Africa 06/21/2016

The International Trade Agreements has been said to prioritize the right of corporation over human health and well being. It is threatening the existing tobacco control policies and restrict the possibility of implementing new controls.

The deputy director of administration of the Ghana Health Service, Mr Yaw Brobbey-Mpiani, has called on stakeholders in health to unite in the promotion of tobacco control in Africa.

Mr. Brobbey-Mpiani spoke at a workshop sponsored by the World Health Organization. The event drew participants from the trade, industry, justice, and health ministries as well as members of civil society organisations.

The deputy director said the tobacco industry is making subtle attempt to rely on International Trade Agreements (ITA), to hinder the enactment of WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

"The ITA contains clauses or provisions that allow the restriction of trade in the protection of human health. Such agreements are nevertheless oriented to successful trade exchange, often at the expense of tobacco control policies, legislation and broader public health initiatives."

Mr Brobbey-Mpiani said international trade liberalisation has frustrated the implementation of the WHO FCTC and had led to rapid expansion of trade in tobacco and its products.

"This had increased the consumption of tobacco across low and middle income countries like Ghana and has posed a major threat to public health," he noted.

The Deputy Director implored the support of participants to support tobacco control in Ghana in particular and the Africa Region in general.

Dr Ahmed E. Ogwell Ouma, the WHO Africa Regional Adviser on Tobacco Control presenting the topic on "The Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in AFRO Region" said Ghana and Africa as whole must endeavour to make a strong case for financial support to address NCDs for sustainable development.

The emphasis of the it is imperative to reinforce the capabilities of member states in health, trade and investment laws to boost their contribution to the implementation of the WHO FCTC on tobacco in particular to fight the menace of public health. Enditem