The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has cautioned young people not to be deceived by the appeal of flavoured or electronic cigarettes, stressing that they remain dangerous and can lead to cancer and premature deaths. “It is estimated that 13.6 per cent of Ghanaian youth smoke shisha, while 2.2 per cent use e‑cigarettes. Nearly 450,000 adults smoke regularly, with men more likely to smoke than women,” he noted.
Represented by Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the ministry, the minister delivered the remarks in Accra on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, during the commemoration of World No Tobacco Day, observed globally on May 31. This year’s theme was “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”
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He revealed that tobacco-related illnesses cost Ghana an estimated $600 million annually and result in about 6,000 preventable deaths. Despite these challenges, he emphasised that Ghana continues to stand out as a leader in tobacco control within the region. “This progress shows that policies, public health initiatives, and interventions are making a real difference,” he affirmed.
Mr Akandoh, who is also the Member of Parliament for Juaboso constituency in the Western North Region, said Ghana was not only being confronted with a product but a carefully crafted deception by tobacco and nicotine producers to sway the youth. He said Ghana’s progress in tobacco use was attributable to sustained public education, strong legislation and collective action. He expressed worry at the way shisha has been presented as a modern, fashionable product which eventually destroys lives. The minister applauded Ghana for achieving a decline in adult smoking from 3 per cent in 2017 to approximately 2.2 per cent currently.
Reflections
The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Gayheart Edem Mensah, has emphasized that the commemoration of World No Tobacco Day should prompt reflection on the devastating economic consequences of tobacco use and smoking.
He noted that the occasion also serves as an opportunity to reaffirm Ghana’s collective resolve to safeguard present and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco. “For us as a country, it is a reminder of our obligations under the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as Ghana’s Public Health Act. These protocols highlight our shared responsibility to protect and preserve public health,” he stated.
WHO
Dr. Fiona Braka, the representative of the World Health Organisation in Ghana, urged the government, partners, and communities to take decisive action to combat the issue of tobacco use. She noted that the continent has made significant progress by implementing tobacco control policies, including health warnings aimed at reducing its impact. Dr. Braka praised the Ministry of Health, the Parliament of Ghana, and civil society organisations for their contributions to this progress.
Source: Daniel Kenu
