Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana) has issued a high-stakes ultimatum to the Government of Ghana: pivot toward bold excise tax reforms or watch the national health system buckle under the weight of preventable chronic diseases.
The call to action follows the release of three landmark World Health Organisation (WHO) reports on January 21, 2026, which revealed a disturbing global trend of health-harming products—specifically alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)—becoming cheaper and more accessible despite their deadly toll.
In a strongly worded press statement, VAST Ghana warned that current tax systems are failing to keep pace with the aggressive marketing of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
According to the organisation, these “relatively low and poorly designed” tax regimes allow industries to prioritise profit maximisation while Ghanaian households bear the long-term medical and economic consequences.
“Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have to protect people from products that cause cancer, heart disease, and diabetes,” emphasised Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a quote cited by the advocacy group.
Labram Musah, Executive Director of VAST Ghana and a recent recipient of the WHO World No Tobacco Award, argues that the 2026 fiscal year must be a turning point for domestic resource mobilisation.
The organisation is pushing for a 50% increase in excise taxes on harmful products, citing evidence that every $1 invested in tobacco control yields a $7 return, while alcohol control generates $9, and curbing unhealthy diets delivers up to $14.
“The health of Ghanaians is the foundation of the nation’s productivity, and no economic argument should be strong enough to undermine that,” Mr Musah stated.
Demands for the Ministry of Finance and Health
VAST Ghana’s roadmap for the 2026 tax review includes:
- Specific Tax Systems: Implementing taxes based on “per stick” for tobacco and “per content” for alcohol to prevent industry price manipulation.
- Inflation Indexing: Ensuring tax rates are periodically adjusted to prevent products from becoming more affordable as incomes grow.
- Revenue Earmarking: Legally mandating that a portion of the tax revenue be channeled directly into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention.
The push for reform comes as the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act, 2023, undergoes scrutiny.
While the law introduced a 20% tax on SSBs, VAST Ghana maintains that current enforcement must be “bold” enough to withstand industry pressure and protect vulnerable populations.
“The evidence is clear, and the moment for action is now,” the statement concluded.
| Target Product | Recommended Reform | Public Health Goal |
| Tobacco | 50% Tax Increase & Specific Tax (per stick) | Reduce smoking rates in youth |
| Alcohol | Minimum Pricing Unit & Inflation Indexing | Reduce alcohol-related injuries/cancers |
| Sugary Drinks | Expansion of SSB Tax to ultra-processed foods | Combat rising obesity and diabetes |
| All Health Taxes | Mandatory Revenue Earmarking | Secure sustainable NHIS funding |
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