A comprehensive independent assessment of Ghana’s tobacco control landscape has warned that despite having robust laws on paper, the country is struggling to translate regulations into life-saving action.

The 2024 Civil Society Shadow Report, released on 12th March 2026 by Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST Ghana), highlights a growing disconnect between official government progress reports and the "lived experiences" of communities.

While the report acknowledges the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) efforts in public education and point-of-sale compliance checks, it sounds an alarm over systemic failures in accountability, taxation, and the protection of children from tobacco influence.

A roadmap, not a criticism

Mr. Labram Musah, Executive Director of VAST Ghana and National Coordinator of the NCD Alliance, emphasised that the report should be viewed as a roadmap for the government and Parliament. He warned that the escalating burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including cancers and heart disease, is directly linked to the slow pace of FCTC implementation.

"We call on our international partners and the WHO to support Ghana in bridging the gap between its commitments and its conduct," Mr Musa stated.

The ‘Invisible’ influence: Tobacco industry interference

A primary concern raised in the report is the lack of transparency regarding interactions between public officials and the tobacco industry. Although Ghana is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the report claims that meetings with industry lobbyists often occur without public notice or disclosure—a direct violation of Article 5.3.

"There is no publicly accessible government repository detailing the activities or lobbying efforts of the tobacco industry," the report notes. VAST Ghana is now calling for a mandatory Code of Conduct for public officials and a transparent registry to shield public health policy from industry manipulation.

Taxation contradictions and the 'Shisha' loophole

The report identifies significant legislative "blind spots," particularly regarding the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1108). While tax revenue doubled in its first year, the shift to a hybrid system inadvertently reduced the ad valorem rate from 175% to 50%.

Furthermore, the report flags a bizarre legal paradox: the government is currently collecting taxes on electronic cigarettes despite them being banned under the Public Health Act of 2012. Other economic concerns include:

• Inflation Indexing: Specific tax rates are not adjusted for inflation, making cigarettes progressively cheaper over time.
• The Shisha Gap: Retailers are reportedly bypassing pictorial health warnings on shisha by removing outer packaging.
• Single Sticks: The pervasive sale of single sticks makes tobacco highly affordable for minors.

Digital frontier: Social media as a ‘blind spot’

With traditional advertising restricted, the report reveals that tobacco marketing has migrated to the digital space. Celebrities and influencers are increasingly observed using tobacco products in online content, effectively serving as "subtle but powerful" marketing tools for children.

VAST Ghana has urged the government to establish dedicated digital monitoring units to police e-commerce and social media promotions.

The 'Cessation' void

Perhaps the most critical failure identified is the total lack of support for Ghanaians wishing to quit. Despite the development of Tobacco Cessation Guidelines in 2017, the report reveals they have never been operationalised.

• No Facilities: There are no dedicated cessation centres at regional or district levels.
• No Medicine: Essential pharmacological therapies for nicotine dependence remain officially unavailable in Ghana.
• Low Awareness: Most smokers are unaware that any support services exist.