By Albert Allotey
Accra, June 3, GNA – Mr Labram Musah, the Executive Director of the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana has called on African governments to hold tobacco industry accountable for the tobacco-related deaths in their countries.
He said 80 per cent of tobacco-related deaths occur in low- and middle-come countries and that Ghana and other African nations need to take the lead in changing the trajectory.
“Of course, this can happen if we can get our governments to hold the tobacco industry accountable. We’ve made a lot of progress, but still need to keep pushing,” he stated.
Mr Musah made the call in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra after the launch of the Global Week of Action Make Big Tobacco Pay campaign organised by Corporate Accountability, a non-profit movement.
The launch was participated by civil society organisations (CSOs) from six countries namely; Mexico, Brazil, the United States, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Ghana.
They called on their governments to recoup the healthcare and environmental cost that are caused by the tobacco industry each year.
Mr Daniel Dorado, tobacco campaign director at Corporate Accountability and the Organiser of the Make Big Tobacco Pay said, “No matter where we live or what we look like, everyone deserves to lead a healthy life.
“But the tobacco industry sells dangerous and deadly products at huge profits. Meanwhile, we all pay – with our lives, our taxes, and our environment.”
The Corporate Accountability has also announced the creation of ‘Yul Dorado Make Big Tobacco Pay Award’ to recognise visionary leadership in advancing health justice and tobacco industry accountability.
“Beginning next year, the award will honour outstanding efforts by governments, civil society, and advocates who are helping advance the global movement to make Big Tobacco pay for the harms it causes.”
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade