Accra: The Ministry of Health on Thursday officially launched the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), a public health civil society organization. This initiative marks a significant step in advocating for the health and well-being of citizens, with a particular focus on youth across the nation and beyond.
According to Ghana News Agency, VAST-Ghana was founded by Mr. Labram M. Musah, who serves as the Executive Director. The organization aims to champion good health and has already made notable strides in areas such as tobacco control. Dr. Hafiz Adam Taher, the Technical Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, commended VAST-Ghana during the launch event for its contributions to enhancing healthcare delivery in Ghana. He highlighted the organization's role in the passage of the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act in 2023, which implemented a mixed tax structure, significantly increasing cigarette prices and strengthening fiscal measures against tobacco consumption.
Dr. Taher also praised the staff of VAST-Ghana for their dedication and support in protecting Ghanaians from health-harming products. During the event, Ms. Chenai Mukumba, Executive Director of Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), acknowledged Mr. Musah's leadership and affirmed TJNA's ongoing support for VAST-Ghana's initiatives to safeguard public health.
In his remarks, Mr. Labram Musah expressed gratitude to stakeholders, global partners, including the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, Tax Justice Network Africa, and Movendi International, for their continuous support. He also thanked his staff and family for their unwavering assistance, encouraging them to continue striving to meet the organization's goals.
The launch of VAST-Ghana coincided with the official inauguration of the Tobacco Tax Advocacy in Africa (TTAA) Project III in Ghana by the Tax Justice Network Africa. This project aims to bolster advocacy for effective health taxes, focusing on excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages.