Accra: The Ghana 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index has highlighted significant gaps in the implementation of the 2016 Tobacco Control Regulations (L.I 2247), emphasizing the urgent need for the Ministry of Health to operationalize Section 18. This section empowers the Minister of Health to issue a Code of Conduct for public officials, a measure that has yet to be established, despite the regulations being enacted.
According to Ghana News Agency, the report recommends that the Ministry of Health align with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) by urgently operationalizing Section 18. While Section 17 of L.I 2247 provides some guidance on limiting interactions between public officials and the tobacco industry, it is criticized for its lack of comprehensiveness and enforceability.
Launched and disseminated by the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), a public health civil society organization, the Ghana 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index has called for the Ministry to issue enforceable codes of conduct. These codes should provide clear guidelines for public officers, contractors, and consultants, ensuring alignment with Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC.
The report further recommends that government officials be required to publicly report and disclose any form of engagement or interaction with the tobacco industry. Such disclosures should be accessible on official websites or other public platforms, promoting accountability and preventing undue influence in policymaking.
The Ministry is also urged to mandate the tobacco industry to publicly disclose comprehensive information regarding its operations. This includes data on market shares, revenues, profits, tax exemptions, and any other privileges or incentives received from the government, which should be made available through easily accessible platforms like official websites.
Additionally, the report calls for regional discussions to examine and amend current fiscal measures that indirectly benefit the tobacco sector. This includes reviewing the FOB discount, duty-free allowances at the ECOWAS level, and exemptions from import duties for tobacco goods.
The Global Tobacco Index (GTI), in its summary of key findings on 100 countries, ranked Ghana 38th out of 100 countries and 11th out of 20 African countries in implementing laws to address tobacco industry interference. The GTI is a civil society initiative reviewing compliance with the guidelines for implementing FCTC Article 5.3, adopted in 2008 by participating countries.