Our Story / History
A Journey of Advocacy and Impact
From a small group of passionate advocates to becoming Ghana's leading public health organization, our story is one of dedication, resilience, and transformative impact.
2004 - The Beginning
Founding YearVision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana was founded by a group of public health professionals and advocates who recognized the urgent need to address tobacco use and its impact on Ghanaian communities. What started as a small initiative grew from a shared vision to create a healthier Ghana.
2006 - First Major Campaign
Early ImpactLaunched our first comprehensive tobacco control campaign, reaching over 50,000 people across three regions. This campaign established VALD as a credible voice in public health advocacy and laid the foundation for our future work.
2008 - Policy Milestone
Legislative SuccessSuccessfully advocated for the inclusion of comprehensive tobacco control measures in Ghana's Public Health Act. This represented a significant milestone in our policy advocacy efforts and demonstrated our growing influence.
2010 - Research Foundation
Evidence BaseEstablished our research department and published the first comprehensive study on tobacco use patterns in Ghana. This research became the foundation for evidence-based policy recommendations and program development.
2012 - International Recognition
Global PartnershipReceived international recognition for our work and became the first Ghanaian organization to receive the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) implementation award.
2015 - Community Programs
Grassroots ImpactLaunched our alternative livelihood program for tobacco farmers, helping over 200 families transition to sustainable crops like cocoa, coffee, and vegetables. This program became a model for similar initiatives across Africa.
2018 - Capacity Building
Scaling UpExpanded our training programs to include over 500 health professionals, journalists, and civil society leaders. Our capacity building efforts strengthened the tobacco control movement across Ghana.
2020 - COVID-19 Response
Pandemic AdaptationPivoted our advocacy efforts to address the intersection of tobacco use and COVID-19, providing critical information to policymakers and the public about increased risks for smokers during the pandemic.
2022 - Strategic Growth
Current EraCelebrated 18 years of impact with expanded programs covering not just tobacco control but broader public health issues including alcohol policy, road safety, and NCD prevention. Our team has grown from 3 to over 25 dedicated professionals.
2024 - Future Forward
Looking AheadToday, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana stands as the leading public health advocacy organization in Ghana, with a proven track record of policy influence, community impact, and international collaboration. We continue to evolve and adapt to meet emerging public health challenges.