With Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) now responsible for nearly half of all deaths in Ghana, efforts to prevent and reduce the growing health and economic burden have never been more urgent. From unhealthy food environments and aggressive marketing to limited access to infrastructure for physical activity, the drivers of poor health outcomes are often systemic — requiring strong laws, strategic fiscal policies, and sustained cross-sectoral collaboration. 

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Health with support from WHO, convened a stakeholder engagement bringing over 50 stakeholders from government ministries, regulatory agencies, academia, civil society, and UN partners to galvanize support for legal and fiscal reforms that promote healthy diets and physical activity — two key pillars in the prevention and control of NCDs. This multisectoral engagement forms part of the country’s programme of work on the Phase II of the Global Regulatory and Fiscal Capacity Building Programme (Global RECAP).

RECAP is a joint initiative of WHO and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the European Union, in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). This programme aims to build the legal, regulatory, and fiscal capacity of governments, regulators, and civil society actors to develop and implement legal and fiscal measures that reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by creating healthier environments. 

Dr Hafiz Adam Tahir Adam, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, in his opening remarks expressed appreciation to WHO and partners for their continued support. 

"Addressing these factors requires a collaborative effort from all sectors, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to work closely with partners to tackle unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity”, he said.

Ghana’s priority areas on the Phase II of RECAP includes legislative support for physical activity, regulations of unhealthy food marketing, front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and fiscal measures including sugar sweetened beverage taxation and effective collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

Presenting the global RECAP framework, WHO’s Legal Officer, Kate Robertson highlighted the uneven progress made globally and emphasized the role of capacity building, evidence generation, and community mobilization. 

"Legal and fiscal tools are powerful levers for shaping healthier environments. Through RECAP, we are working with countries like Ghana to strengthen their capacity to design and implement policies that can drive real change—protecting populations and reducing the burden of NCDs.”

WHO data reveals that 9.9% of Ghanaians — and nearly 15% of women — do not meet the recommended physical activity levels. The data also highlights air pollution as an increasingly important contributor to the country’s NCD profile. This underscores the urgency of action to create an enabling environment for healthier diet and the promotion of physical activity.

Mr William Agbavitor, Head of Legal at the Food and Drugs Authority, walked participants through the legal and regulatory frameworks currently in place, including the Public Health Act (2012) and new draft policies such as a national front-of-pack labelling policy and restrictions on unhealthy food marketing.

The meeting concluded with the formation of a national multisectoral RECAP Steering Committee to guide the development and implementation of a country-led workplan. This committee will help drive evidence-informed policy reform—particularly in areas such as food safety, where stakeholders called for stronger collaboration, clearer procurement guidelines, and safeguards against industry interference to support healthier institutional food environments.

For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Country Office
Email: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393