CSOs condemn Sarkodie for cigar-smoking photos

A number of civil society organisations (CSOs) have condemned the cigar-smoking pictures of a popular musician known in showbiz circles as Sarkodie.

They said: “We are very disappointed in Sarkodie for circulating pictures of himself smoking a cigar on social media without considering the negative influence this singular act stands to have on the public, especially the youth, most of who consider him as their role model.”

The CSOs are the Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), the Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (Ghana NCD Alliance), Media Alliance in Tobacco Control and Health (MATCOH), Jaishi Initiative, and the Community Health Support Team (CHEST).

This was in a statement issued on behalf of the organisations by Mr Labram Musah, the Director of Programmes of VALD, and National Coordinator, Ghana NCD Alliance, copied to the Ghana News Agency.

It called on Sarkodie to desist from the act in both his pictures and music videos to avoid indirectly ushering innocent youth into smoking, which had no benefit to humans.

“We are also by this statement calling on the singer to render an apology to all Ghanaians, especially the youth, for such a distasteful act that has the propensity of changing behaviour of our youth from good to bad and pledge to support and promote the health and well-being of all,’’ the statement said.

It entreated, particularly those in the entertainment industry, to note that Ghana’s Public Health Act (Act 851) under part Six, which talks about tobacco control measures, prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and also bans its products in the entertainment media.

“We expect Sarkodie to use his influence and his platforms positively to educate and instill good morals including healthy living in his followers and the public,” it said.

The statement said already Ghana was faced with increased rate of shisha smoking among the youth in second-cycle and tertiary institutions, which had negative impact on their wellbeing, adding that some countries had banned its use completely.

“We find the act by the two-time BET Award winner as unprofessional, unethical and unhealthy. The youth by virtue of their youthful exuberance and experimentations follow the paths of individuals they have idolized and such must not be led into deadly pits by these same idols…,” it said.

It said tobacco use was one of the leading preventable causes of deaths in the world, with most occurring in low-and-middle-income countries, including Ghana.

It is estimated that annually about eight million lives are lost to tobacco use, while 600,000 people are also killed by exposure to tobacco smoke worldwide.

“Smoking also increases the risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis and many more. Cost of treatment for these effects are very high, which sends majority to their early graves and leads families into abject poverty,” the statement said.

“It is important to note that smokers have a high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to weak immune system as a result of smoking.

“Just few weeks ago, during this year’s World No Tobacco Day commemoration, the World Health Organisation began a campaign; ‘Commit to Quit’ and so we find this act as a threat to all these efforts by well-meaning people.”