Vision 4 Accelerated Sustainable Development

08/07/2025

Unmasking the To***co Industry Appeal: Exposing the Kweku Ananse of the 21st Century

The to***co industry, like a deceitful trader in the marketplace, never reveals its true intentions. It infiltrates entertainment, sports, glamorizing smoking and va**ng as symbols of modern freedom.

In the heart of Africa, where wisdom is etched in proverbs and stories passed down through generations, an Akan adage reminds us: “Se wo werɛ fi na wosankofa a, yɛnkyi.” Meaning “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” As we stand at the crossroads of public health and industry deception, we must return to ancestral wisdom to confront a modern enemy cloaked in deception, the to***co industry.

Read more on how the to***co industry is perfectly described using a popular Africa Tale - Kwaku Ananse

https://ghananewsonline.com.gh/unmasking-the-to***co-industry-appeal-exposing-the-kweku-ananse-of-the-21st-century/

Africa NCDs Network NCD Alliance Ministry of Health, Ghana Food and Drugs Authority Ghana Global Alliance for To***co Control Centre For To***co Control in Africa ATCA - African To***co Control Alliance Corporate Accountability Ghana NCD Alliance London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine World Health Organization Ghana Campaign for To***co-Free Kids Global Center for Good Governance in To***co Control GGTC Vital Strategies WHO FCTC

In the heart of Africa, where wisdom is etched in proverbs and stories passed down through generations, an Akan adage reminds us: "Se wo werɛ fi na wosankofa a, yɛnkyi." Meaning "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten." As we st

04/07/2025

VAST Ghana rejects alcohol tax cut proposal over public health concerns

Labram Musah Executive Director of VAST Ghana argued that any reduction in alcohol taxes would “undermine hard-won public health gains, weaken fiscal resilience, and derail Ghana’s efforts to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),” which are currently responsible for 45 percent of all deaths in Ghana, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024).

“This is not the time to bow to industry pressure. Reducing taxes will not only reverse progress but also embolden harmful marketing practices that drive up youth consumption,” the group warned.

“Ghana stands at a crossroads. We can either prioritize public health or cave to industry demands. The science is clear. The economic rationale is sound. Alcohol tax policy must protect lives, support health systems, and secure a prosperous future for all,” the group added.

Read more: https://zedmultimedia.com/2025/07/03/vast-ghana-rejects-alcohol-tax-cut-proposal-over-public-health-concerns/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLU63FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF4aDlyYmpweWdmWmpEeUd3AR6KFGJWc1D_O5lzre-EVu4zClBTZycLPLkl2Hz95i7v-Otg_XWioqVmGZbEkA_aem_QoejxJmvY36-tgm4Y1YI2Q

Movendi International Ghana NCD Alliance Ministry of Health, Ghana Ghana Revenue Authority - Official Global Goals for Sustainable Development Food and Drugs Authority Ghana Vital Strategies Ghana NCD Alliance

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi The Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana (VAST Ghana),

02/07/2025

Today, we're joining the World Health Organization (WHO)'s "3 by 35" initiative, calling on countries to raise taxes on to***co, alcohol & sugary drinks by 50% by 2035.

This bold move would help:

✅ 1. Prevent 50 million deaths from NCDs over 50 years
✅ 2. Reduce health care costs
✅ 3. Raise $1 trillion for health & development over the next 10 years

Learn more: https://vitalstrat.org/44JVFsg

02/07/2025

*🚭 Empowering the Next Generation to Say No to To***co!*

As part of the year-long observation of World No To***co Day 2025, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana), in collaboration with the Ghana NCD Alliance (GhNCDA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), engaged 244 Junior High School students of De-Youngsters International School – Nima in an impactful awareness session on the dangers of to***co use.

The session focused on the shift from traditional ci******es to new and emerging to***co and ni****ne products, including flavored vapes and e-ci******es, which are clandestinely marketed to target young people. We explored how these products are designed to appear trendy and harmless, trapping young people early so the to***co industry can maintain long-term consumers.

We highlighted the health risks, deceptive marketing tactics, and the reality that these products are readily available within our communities. Students were urged to be vigilant, especially in social spaces where peer pressure and exposure are high.

We also shed light on the Public Health Act (Act 851), which bans smoking in all public places and prohibits minors from purchasing or selling to***co products. While enforcement remains a challenge, and rehabilitation support is costly and often inaccessible to the vulnerable, young people must stay informed and empowered.

Students were charged to become young advocates in their schools and communities, and to report any violations to their teachers for onward report to Vision 4 Accelerated Sustainable Development Food and Drugs Authority Ghana through the appropriate channels.

You can watch the event via VAST Ghana youtube page https://www.youtube.com/live/obCqevFFbDg?si=VrxNUZ1V97vDoqln

📢 Do you want us to bring this important conversation to your school or community group?

Kindly reach out via 0260859655/0242112121 or send us a message. Let’s protect our future, one child at a time. 💪

NCD Alliance Ministry of Health, Ghana World Health Organization Ghana Ghana NCD Alliance ATCA - African To***co Control Alliance Africa NCDs Network World Health Organization (WHO) Centre For To***co Control in Africa Campaign for To***co-Free Kids Global Alliance for To***co Control UICC - Union for International Cancer Control Global Center for Good Governance in To***co Control GGTC Corporate Accountability ***coDay2025 ***coFreeGhana ***co

01/07/2025

Vision 4 Accelerated Sustainable Development a leading public health organisation has called on the Government to enact a comprehensive excise tax on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), warning that failure to act could undermine both the country’s public health and economic resilience.

It Executive Director Labram Musah said “Ultra-processed foods are fuelling a public health emergency in Ghana,” “We urgently need excise taxes and front-of-pack warning labels to reduce consumption and incentivise healthier diets.”

“Excise taxes on ultra-processed foods are not punitive, they are a necessary correction to market failure,” said Mr Musah. “The evidence is clear. Ghana must act decisively to protect its health and economic future.”

Ministry of Health, Ghana Food and Drugs Authority Ghana NCD Alliance World Health Organization Ghana Ghana NCD Alliance Campaign for To***co-Free Kids Africa NCDs Network Resolve to Save Lives Vital Strategies

Government Faces Mounting Pressure to Impose Excise Tax on Ultra-Processed Foods Amid Rising Health Costs A leading public health organisation

30/06/2025

The City of Santa Cruz bans filtered ci******es, citing pollution concerns. The County had already banned filtered to***co products.

30/06/2025

WHO calls for higher cigarette taxes, plus graphic warnings on vapes, heated to***co products and ni****ne pouches

30/06/2025

So far, the world's largest carbon projects have not led to a promised decrease in planet-heating emissions -

30/06/2025

The Executive Director Labram Musah of Vision 4 Accelerated Sustainable Development and a consultant to the ongoing Front of Pack Warning Label (FOPWL) project with SEND GHANA &GAND had the privilege and honour to join in hosting the Bloomberg Philanthropies team in Ghana.

The team from Bloomberg paid a curtesy call to key national institutions – Ministry of Health, Ghana, Food and Drugs Authority Ghana NDPC, Parliament, CSOs actors and Academic institutions among others to assess Ghana’s food environment, discuss progress and challenges.

The meeting also discuss strengthening Ghana’s food policies through reforms on labelling, marketing, fiscal policies etc.

Importantly, the visit is expected to strengthen partnership and collaboration of major stakeholders to explore opportunities to advance a comprehensive food policy agenda in line with the priorities of the government.

These interventions aim to help address the surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Vital Strategies World Health Organization Ghana Campaign for To***co-Free Kids Ministry of Health, Ghana NCD Alliance Food and Drugs Authority Ghana Ghana NCD Alliance World Health Organization (WHO) Resolve to Save Lives Africa NCDs Network Global Health Advocacy Incubator Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

30/06/2025