Advancing tobacco control research in Ghana: findings from a meeting with key stakeholders

Abstract

Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is growing globally, with the greatest increase in NCD deaths expected to occur in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the next five to 15 years. Tobacco use is implicated in all leading NCDs, and is one of the biggest global public health threats. Despite the projected increase in tobacco-related NCD deaths in low- and Middle-income countries (LMICs), research on tobacco control policy and implementation in SSA and more specifically, Ghana, is a low priority. To address these challenges, the School of Public Health (KNUST, Ghana) with support from the Tobacco Control Capacity Program (TCCP) funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) organized a 1-day stakeholder’s meeting to discuss the advancement of tobacco control research in Ghana. The aim was to propose the way forward for strengthening applied research that can inform the development of health policies and programs focused on tobacco control. Participants were drawn from academia, research and health institutions, civil society and non-governmental organisations. In this meeting overview, we present the key themes that emerged from the meeting and some strategies for advancing tobacco control research in Ghana and beyond. Directions for future research agenda include building institutional research capacity, strengthening stakeholder and public engagement on tobacco control, need for more local and comprehensive data and research, improve sustainable funding of comprehensive programs on tobacco control in Ghana and social and behavior change communication on tobacco use.