BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Ghana has over the years implemented the Articles of the FCTC through the enactment of the Public Health Act 2012 and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016. However, there have been challenges with implementation including absence of comprehensive national tobacco control strategy (NTCS), non-functional national coordinating mechanism (NCM), and lack of knowledge on the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (ITP). Implementation of the FCTC Project 2030, aims to strengthen tobacco control efforts in Ghana, in partnership with key stakeholders.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: A thorough desk review of existing tobacco control policies and documents locally and internationally was conducted, analyzing Ghana's Public Health Act, Non-Communicable Diseases Policy, and Needs Assessment Report. Expert meetings identified key implementation bottlenecks, stakeholder consultations gathered input and built consensus on key components. This collaborative approach, led by the WHO consultant, UNDP, and the FDA, ensured that the resulting strategy and Terms of Reference for NCM reflects the needs and priorities of various stakeholders in Ghana.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The project led to development of NTCS, reconstitution of NCM and Development of Terms of Reference (TOR), review of Ghana's excise tax stamp system and training of enforcement officers across the country on the ITP. This resulted in a reference document to guide stakeholders on various tobacco control activities ensuring efficient collaboration and accountability. Training led to capacity building of stakeholders to effectively eliminate illicit trade activities across the country.
CONCLUSIONS: The FCTC 2030 project successfully led to the development of a strategy, re-constitution of the NCM effective stakeholder coordination and collaboration, training of stakeholders Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, review of excise tax stamp system comparing to international best practices in Track and Trace systems, and examining successful implementations and development of an Enforcement Guide for comprehensive tobacco control efforts in Ghana.