Ghanaian public health advocate Mr. Labram Musah, Executive Director of Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana), has been honoured with the prestigious 2025 WHO World No Tobacco Day Award, recognising his relentless fight against tobacco use and its harmful impact on public health.
The award, presented during the national commemoration of World No Tobacco Day in Ho, celebrates outstanding contributions to tobacco control. This year’s event was themed “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”
Mr. Musah, in his acceptance speech, framed the honour as a collective victory, highlighting the vital contributions of civil society, researchers, journalists, youth advocates, and public health institutions.
“This is not just a personal achievement—it belongs to all those who have fought alongside us to protect lives and communities from the deadly grip of tobacco,” he said.
VAST-Ghana, under Mr. Musah’s leadership, has been instrumental in shaping Ghana’s tobacco policy landscape. The organisation played a leading role in the passage of Ghana’s Tobacco Control Measures in 2012 and the implementation of corresponding regulations in 2016. It has also pushed for increased taxation on tobacco products as a deterrent and has amplified African voices on the global stage—including at the UN Multistakeholder Hearing on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health.
But Mr. Musah warned that the battle is far from over.
“The industry is evolving. With flavoured products, digital advertising, and deceptive marketing, they are targeting youth and vulnerable populations. Our strategies must adapt just as swiftly.”
He used the platform to issue a strong call to action to the Ghanaian government, urging:
- Full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
- Stricter regulation to shield children from manipulative marketing
- Higher tobacco taxes to reduce consumption
- Greater accountability measures for tobacco industry practices
Mr. Musah also acknowledged the support of his family, colleagues, and the WHO Country Office in Ghana, attributing his success to a shared vision and divine guidance.
“Let us continue to push forward—united, inspired, and unyielding—in creating a tobacco-free Ghana, Africa, and world,” he concluded.
His recognition is a resounding endorsement of Ghana’s ongoing public health advocacy efforts and a reminder of the urgent need for political will and community-driven action to outpace an ever-adaptive tobacco industry.
