The Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs.) has reiterated the commitment of her outfit to working with other state bodies to ensure that laws governing tobacco trade are complied with to the letter.
She noted that the illicit tobacco trade poses a challenge as other criminal economic activities could be perpetrated through it.
COP Addo-Danquah made the remarks when a seven-member delegation made up of officials of World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Secretariat (FCTC), Geneva, Switzerland, and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) interacted with officials of EOCO on how they collaborate in their work in fighting illicit drug trafficking.
The discussion centered on how law enforcement strategies could be adopted in Ghana’s fight against illicit tobacco trade and other challenges in tackling illicit canker.
Head of the Tobacco and Substance Abuse Department of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mrs. Olivia Agyekumwaa Boateng, who was part of the delegation, disclosed that the FDA is engaged in a needs assessment to determine the extent of the illicit trade and how to tackle it head-on from its regulatory framework.
The team underscored the dangers posed by the illicit trade in tobacco and why the menace ought to be dealt with through the active collaboration of all stakeholders.
The Coordinator and Development Assistant of FCTC, Andrew Black added that despite the profitable nature of the illicit tobacco trade, there is a huge global problem with trading illicit tobacco and its risk is large.
The Technical Coordinator for Tobacco Control at WHO, Dr. William Maina reiterated the dangers of Tobacco use, stressing that it is very addictive and one of the causes of the most non-communicable diseases like cancer.
He bemoaned the unwavering efforts placed on reducing demand, purchase, and distribution but not much to reduce the supply. He added that uncertified tobacco is detrimental to one’s health.
Disclaimer: Ahotoronline.com is not liable for any damages resulting from the use of this information
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh
