Pass Tobacco Bill – Ali
Ghana News Agency (GNA)
18 May 2009
www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=162289&comment=4757530#com
Accra, May 18, GNA - Mr. Issah Ali, Executive Director of the Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), a development-oriented, non-governmental organization (NGO), has urged government to ensure the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill (TCB) without delay. This, he said, could go a long way to clamp down on illicit trade on tobacco products to help reduce smoking-related diseases among Ghanaians.
Mr. Ali who disclosed these to GNA in Accra at the weekend, suggested that the draft be put before Parliament without any further delay.
The Executive Director, who is also a Board Member of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), said the Organization had sensitized stakeholders on the tobacco industry, and supported the strengthening of the coalition of NGOs on health.
On the international scene, Mr. Ali said VALD had advocated for a strong guideline on the packaging and labeling of tobacco products for easy identification of the harm tobacco causes to health. He lamented that the NGO lacked funding and said that it was planning to set up a network of journalists to sensitize the public on the dangers of tobacco products.
Mr Ali said a forum would soon be held for religious organizations, apart from a national stakeholders' consultative and strategic meeting, to address tobacco-related problems facing the country. He said that the NGO would work hard to ensure that tobacco control was on the national agenda to help solicit funds from the donor community.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
PREZ MILLS URGED TO PASS DRAFT TOBACCO CONTROL BILL
The New Crusading Guide
March 2009
By Anna Claudia Duker
The Executive Director of Vision for Alternative Development [VALD], Mr. Issah Ali has urged President John Evans Atta Mills to strongly recommend to his office to facilitate the process of presenting the Draft National Tobacco Control Bill to Parliament for passage into law, in order to help protect the health of the children, pregnant women and vulnerable groups in the country.
He mentioned that, Ghana approved the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control [FCTC], an international tobacco control treaty on November 29 2004 with an objective to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Mr. Ali also disclosed that the Draft National Tobacco Control Bill was developed to bring under control the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control but unfortunately the draft bill was yet to be approved by Cabinet and presented to the Parliament for debate and approval.
He noted that tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke kills close to five million people every year according to the World Health Organisation [WHO], saying that the figure was projected to increase to 10 million deaths annually by 2030 and 70 percent from developing countries including Ghana if tobacco control measures were not adopted.
He added that tobacco harmed public health as it had, scientifically been linked to dreadful diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and asthma. The Executive Director also emphasized that tobacco had been linked to psychosocial disorder, miscarriage, and infertility in women and men.
He continued that tobacco was risk factor for low birth weight and mental retardation among children. The VALD congratulated President Mills on the occasion of his election as the President of the Republic of Ghana and Dr. George Sipa-Adja Yanker for being sworn-in as the Minister of Health. ‘We are highly optimistic that your government would work extensively to improve the health and to alleviate poverty in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.” He Stated.
March 2009
By Anna Claudia Duker
The Executive Director of Vision for Alternative Development [VALD], Mr. Issah Ali has urged President John Evans Atta Mills to strongly recommend to his office to facilitate the process of presenting the Draft National Tobacco Control Bill to Parliament for passage into law, in order to help protect the health of the children, pregnant women and vulnerable groups in the country.
He mentioned that, Ghana approved the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control [FCTC], an international tobacco control treaty on November 29 2004 with an objective to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Mr. Ali also disclosed that the Draft National Tobacco Control Bill was developed to bring under control the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control but unfortunately the draft bill was yet to be approved by Cabinet and presented to the Parliament for debate and approval.
He noted that tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke kills close to five million people every year according to the World Health Organisation [WHO], saying that the figure was projected to increase to 10 million deaths annually by 2030 and 70 percent from developing countries including Ghana if tobacco control measures were not adopted.
He added that tobacco harmed public health as it had, scientifically been linked to dreadful diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and asthma. The Executive Director also emphasized that tobacco had been linked to psychosocial disorder, miscarriage, and infertility in women and men.
He continued that tobacco was risk factor for low birth weight and mental retardation among children. The VALD congratulated President Mills on the occasion of his election as the President of the Republic of Ghana and Dr. George Sipa-Adja Yanker for being sworn-in as the Minister of Health. ‘We are highly optimistic that your government would work extensively to improve the health and to alleviate poverty in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.” He Stated.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pass Tobacco Control Bill
Pass Tobacco Control Bill
(March 16th, 2009)
http://www.ghanaweb.com/public_agenda/article.php?ID=12952
Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), an NGO, has appealed to President Atta Mills to ensure the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill into law "to protect the health of children, pregnant women and vulnerable groups in the country."`
Whilst congratulating the President on his electoral victory, the NGO says he must use his good offices to ensure the bill is laid before Parliament for deliberation and passage.The appeal is also to the new Minister of Health, Dr. Geaorge Sipa Yankey. "We are highly optimistic that your government would work extensively to improve the health and to alleviate poverty in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)."
Ghana ratified the FCTC; international tobacco control treaty on 29th November 2004 with the objective to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke."
A Draft National Tobacco Control Bill was developed to domesticate the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, but the draft bill is yet to be approved by Cabinet and be presented to Parliament for debate and approval.
"Your Excellency, we strongly recommend your office to facilitate the process and present the Draft National Tobacco Control Bill to Parliament for passage into law to protect the health of the children, pregnant women and vulnerable groups in the country," Mr. Issah Ali (Board Member of African Tobacco Control Alliance - ATCA and Executive Director of Vision for Alternative Development - VALD) said.
Tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke are said to be in charge of the death of close to 5 million people every year according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The figure is projected to increase to 10 million deaths annually by 2030 and 70 per cent from developing countries, including Ghana if tobacco control measures are not adopted. Tobacco harms public health; it has scientifically been linked to dreadful diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and asthma.
Tobacco has also been linked to psychosocial disorder, miscarriage, and infertility. It is a risk factor for low birth weight and mental retardation among children.
(March 16th, 2009)
http://www.ghanaweb.com/public_agenda/article.php?ID=12952
Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), an NGO, has appealed to President Atta Mills to ensure the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill into law "to protect the health of children, pregnant women and vulnerable groups in the country."`
Whilst congratulating the President on his electoral victory, the NGO says he must use his good offices to ensure the bill is laid before Parliament for deliberation and passage.The appeal is also to the new Minister of Health, Dr. Geaorge Sipa Yankey. "We are highly optimistic that your government would work extensively to improve the health and to alleviate poverty in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)."
Ghana ratified the FCTC; international tobacco control treaty on 29th November 2004 with the objective to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke."
A Draft National Tobacco Control Bill was developed to domesticate the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, but the draft bill is yet to be approved by Cabinet and be presented to Parliament for debate and approval.
"Your Excellency, we strongly recommend your office to facilitate the process and present the Draft National Tobacco Control Bill to Parliament for passage into law to protect the health of the children, pregnant women and vulnerable groups in the country," Mr. Issah Ali (Board Member of African Tobacco Control Alliance - ATCA and Executive Director of Vision for Alternative Development - VALD) said.
Tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke are said to be in charge of the death of close to 5 million people every year according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The figure is projected to increase to 10 million deaths annually by 2030 and 70 per cent from developing countries, including Ghana if tobacco control measures are not adopted. Tobacco harms public health; it has scientifically been linked to dreadful diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and asthma.
Tobacco has also been linked to psychosocial disorder, miscarriage, and infertility. It is a risk factor for low birth weight and mental retardation among children.
.jpg)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
GOVERNMENT MUST DEFEND TOBACCO CONVENTION
GOVERNMENT MUST DEFEND TOBACCO CONVENTION
Ghanaian Voice
October 1, 2008
By: Erica A. Addo
An NGO – Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), which aims at enhancing education on Tobacco control and health issues together, has called on Government to protect the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) from Tobacco industry's interference.
This call is one of the many actions taking worldwide to challenge interference by Tobacco giants in the implementation of the global tobacco treaty, which is officially known as the world health Organization Framework Convection on Tobacco Control. (WHO FCTC)
This was contained in a press release signed by Mr. Musah Labram, Programmers Director of VALD.
He noted that tobacco industries interference poses the single greatest threat tobacco control adding that here in Ghana; the British American Tobacco Ghana (BAT) was aggressively promoting its deadly products, while trying to subvert strong public health policies
"We aim to advance the implementation of the global tobacco treaty and reinforce the courageous work of Ghana Health Service and Food and Drug Board who stood up against the tobacco giant".
Mr. Labram pointed out that tobacco kills 5.4 million people around the world each year, including Ghana.
The death toll is projected to rise to eight million a year by 2030, with 80 percent of those deaths occurring in the development counties. He added
He also lamented that Ghana is one of the 160 countries who have ratified the global tobacco treaty, which now protects nearly 85% of the world's peoples.
He added that WHO estimates that broad implementation of that could save 200 million lives by the year 2050.
Mr. Issah Ali, a tobacco control advocate also added that time has come for Ghana to pass the Draft Tobacco control Bill into Law.
He emphasized that specific guidelines on how article 5.3 should be implemented will be up for approval when ratifying countries gather for the 3rd enforcement meeting on the treaty this November in Durban, South Africa.
Proposals in the draft guidelines includes keeping the tobacco industry out of tobacco control bodies such as FCTC delegation, prohibiting government partnership or collaboration with tobacco industry and requiring that the tobacco industry will be transparent about its activities as well as operations.
Ghanaian Voice
October 1, 2008
By: Erica A. Addo
An NGO – Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), which aims at enhancing education on Tobacco control and health issues together, has called on Government to protect the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) from Tobacco industry's interference.
This call is one of the many actions taking worldwide to challenge interference by Tobacco giants in the implementation of the global tobacco treaty, which is officially known as the world health Organization Framework Convection on Tobacco Control. (WHO FCTC)
This was contained in a press release signed by Mr. Musah Labram, Programmers Director of VALD.
He noted that tobacco industries interference poses the single greatest threat tobacco control adding that here in Ghana; the British American Tobacco Ghana (BAT) was aggressively promoting its deadly products, while trying to subvert strong public health policies
"We aim to advance the implementation of the global tobacco treaty and reinforce the courageous work of Ghana Health Service and Food and Drug Board who stood up against the tobacco giant".
Mr. Labram pointed out that tobacco kills 5.4 million people around the world each year, including Ghana.
The death toll is projected to rise to eight million a year by 2030, with 80 percent of those deaths occurring in the development counties. He added
He also lamented that Ghana is one of the 160 countries who have ratified the global tobacco treaty, which now protects nearly 85% of the world's peoples.
He added that WHO estimates that broad implementation of that could save 200 million lives by the year 2050.
Mr. Issah Ali, a tobacco control advocate also added that time has come for Ghana to pass the Draft Tobacco control Bill into Law.
He emphasized that specific guidelines on how article 5.3 should be implemented will be up for approval when ratifying countries gather for the 3rd enforcement meeting on the treaty this November in Durban, South Africa.
Proposals in the draft guidelines includes keeping the tobacco industry out of tobacco control bodies such as FCTC delegation, prohibiting government partnership or collaboration with tobacco industry and requiring that the tobacco industry will be transparent about its activities as well as operations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
