Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Sunlodge Hotel, Accra l Friday, September 25, 2026 —
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has expressed support for the proposed Code of Conduct for public officials as part of efforts to limit tobacco promotion, discourage consumption and reduce the health and economic burden associated with tobacco use.
A Revenue Officer at the GRA’s Strategy and Research Department, Christian Nii Ayi Welbeck, said the Authority considered the Code an important measure in strengthening Ghana’s tobacco-control response.
Mr Welbeck made the statement while presenting remarks on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner, Strategy and Research, at a strategic stakeholder engagement on the development and institutionalisation of the Code at the Sunlodge Hotel, Tesano, Accra.
He said tobacco consumption had significant socio-economic consequences for individuals, society and government, particularly through non-communicable diseases.
He mentioned hypertension, heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancers among the diseases associated with tobacco use.
Mr Welbeck said Ghana, as a developing country, could not continue to devote limited resources to preventable diseases and therefore needed to strengthen measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption.
He said Ghana’s excise tax reforms, including the Excise Duty Amendment No. 2 Act, 2023 (Act 1108) and the Excise Duty Act, 2026 (Act 1180), were intended to support several objectives.
These, he said, included alignment with ECOWAS protocols, increasing the rates of some excisable products, raising health-tax revenue, reducing consumption of harmful products, lowering healthcare expenditure and addressing disproportionate NCD risks.
Mr Welbeck said research and experience indicated that tobacco taxes could raise revenue while helping to reduce harmful consumption and improve health outcomes.
He said people continued to consume tobacco products partly because they remained affordable and argued that taxation could be used to increase prices and discourage excessive consumption.
“Prevention is better than cure,” he said, stressing the role of tobacco taxation in preventing consumption and reducing NCDs.
Mr Welbeck disclosed that the GRA collected GH¢713.1 million from tobacco taxes in 2025 through specific and ad valorem taxes.
He said the Authority was committed to contributing to efforts aimed at creating a healthier population while generating revenue through the taxation of tobacco products.
He thanked the organisers for involving the GRA in the stakeholder engagement and said the Authority was pleased to contribute to discussions on the proposed Code of Conduct.
