VAST-Ghana calls for accelerated action on the implementation of the WHO FCTC 

 Mr Labram Musah, the Executive Director of the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), has called for accelerated action on the implementation of the WHO FCTC. 

Mr Musah, who is a member of the Ghanaian delegation to the 11th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) made the call in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra when he announced their presence at the meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The conference is being held under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and the 4th Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP4) to the Protocol on Illicit Trade from 17-26 November 2025. 

It is being attended by over 1,400 delegates from governments, international organizations, and civil society to chart the future of tobacco control. 

Mr Musah urged stakeholders, including advocates, global leaders, and partners in Public Health, to see the meeting as a call to accelerate action for the implementation of the WHO FCTC and to protect COP11 and MOP4 from Tobacco Industry Interference. 

“This moment is more than a routine conference; it is a pivotal gathering for governments, international organizations, and civil society to chart the future of tobacco control.  

“At its core, COP11 is a reflective and forward-looking platform: we mark 20 years since the WHO FCTC entered into force, a testament to the progress we have made, and a clear call to action for the road ahead,” he stated. 

He said, “At VAST-Ghana, we come with hope, determination, and a deep sense of responsibility, a hope for a tobacco-free generation, a world where children grow up unburdened by tobacco and nicotine addiction, and a healthier, cleaner environment.” 

“To the Government of Ghana, fellow civil society actors, development partners, and community leaders: your support is vital. The decisions made at COP11 and MOP4 will shape our national and global tobacco control trajectory. 

“The stronger our collective voice, the more impact we can have. The evidence is clear, the WHO FCTC, a live-saving tool has tremendously reduced tobacco use in Ghana and in Africa,” he noted.  

The Executive Director called on global leaders and Parties to match rhetoric with action, saying, “Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to a healthier, greener, and more just future – one in which the FCTC’s promise is fully realized.” 

Source: GNA