VALD-Ghana to establish Knowledge Resource Platform to support government in tobacco control

The Vision for Alternative Development - Ghana (VALD-Ghana) is to establish a project - Knowledge Resource Platform (KRP) that will serve as a comprehensive repository for all resources related to tobacco control in Ghana and beyond.It is a project which is designed to bolster public health policy implementation by building capacity and supporting the government in fulfilling its commitments to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.It would be funded by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), a specialized agency of the African Union that focuses developing capacity across the African continent.The ACBF was established in 1991 with the mission to develop the human capital and institution required to enable Africa inclusive and sustainable development.Mr Labram Musah, Executive Director of Programme of VALD-Ghana made this known during a virtual consultative meeting with stakeholders.He said the objectives of the project was to strengthen the human and institutional capacity of VA LD-Ghana to sustainably contribute to tobacco control agenda in the country while increasing access to tobacco control knowledge to support informed decision-making interventions.He said the 'one-stop platform' would not only facilitate research, references, and learning but would also be instrumental in the collection of data, monitoring of compliance with tobacco control policies, and the centralization of tobacco-related data within the country.Mr Musah said the project would help address the gaps within the availability and accessibility of tobacco-related data while supporting government effort to strengthen compliance with tobacco control policies and regulations.It would also assist in strengthening stakeholder's collaboration efforts in improving the control of the tobacco substance.The Director of Programme mentioned stakeholders involved in the project as government, relevant private sector, civil society organisation actors, academia and research institutions, and the media.Source: Ghana News Agency