Accra: The Tobacco Tax Advocacy in Africa (TTAA) Phase III Project in Ghana has been launched to strengthen advocacy for effective health taxes, focusing on excise taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project aims to improve public health and domestic resource mobilization under the theme 'Strengthening Tobacco Taxation and Tobacco Control for Improved Public Health and Domestic Resource Mobilisation in Ghana.' The initiative is being implemented by Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) across eight African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Namibia.
Ms. Chenai Mukumba, the Executive Director of TJNA, emphasized the effectiveness of tobacco taxation as a public policy intervention. She cited the World Health Organization, stating that significant increases in tobacco taxes can reduce tobacco consumption more effectively than any other single tobacco control measure. Mukumba highlighted the project's role in reaffirming a commitment to public health, economic justice, and domestic resource mobilization across Africa.
The initiative involves collaboration with national partners, governments, researchers, health advocates, and regional institutions to generate evidence, strengthen policy dialogue, and support reforms. Mukumba pointed out that tobacco taxation not only serves as a public health intervention but also as a development and financing intervention, addressing fiscal constraints and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
The Executive Director noted that health taxes, including tobacco excise taxes, provide opportunities to improve health outcomes while generating sustainable domestic revenues. She stressed that effective tobacco taxation could reduce future healthcare costs and create fiscal space for investments in health, education, and social protection.
Ghana has already demonstrated leadership in tobacco taxation. The passage of the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act in 2023 introduced a specific excise tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products, marking a significant policy milestone. Mukumba highlighted the potential for further reforms to deliver greater health and revenue gains through partnerships with VAST Ghana and other stakeholders.
Dr. Hafiz Adam Taher, the Technical Coordinator of the Ministry of Health, reiterated the government's commitment to reducing the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) as part of the goal of Universal Health Coverage. He acknowledged the economic burden of tobacco-related diseases in Ghana and the positive outcomes from the Excise Duty Amendment Act.
Mr. Labram Musah, in his welcoming address, called for collaboration among stakeholders to advance evidence-based excise taxes for public health and domestic resource mobilization. He emphasized the need for genuine multisectoral collaboration to address the challenges posed by tobacco and other health-harming products.