GhanaPa Commends FDA For Maintaining Ban On Alcohol Advertisement

The Ghana Alcohol Policy Alliance (GhanaPa) has urged the Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA), not to lift the ban on alcoholic advertisement in the country.

GhanaPa calls on the government through the FDA to stand firm and resolute on its position to not allow celebrities to advertise on alcoholic beverages in Ghana.

In a press release issued in Accra on Wednesday and signed by the Alliance's National Coordinator, Mr. Abdul Fatah Adam calls on FDA to stand firm despite the attacks and condemnations from celebrities and a cross-section of media organisations in the country.

Some celebrities condemned the FDA for banning them from advertising for alcoholic entities claiming it has deprived them of some livelihood.

The press statement noted that the decision to ban known personalities from alcoholic advertisement is to basically prevent children and youth from exposure to alcoholic harm which has a lot of negative health consequences on their development.

"We will continue to sensitize the public on the harmful effects of alcohol and the reasons for the ban," the statement said.

Alcohol, according to the statement affects every facet of human development from health, environment, economy, society, family amongst others.

The press released further advised Ghanaian celebrities to keep in mind that there is conflict between the interest of the alcoholic industry and those of the public health and by extension the rights of the Ghanaian child.

A lot of young people are currently dying due to excessive alcohol accessibility and affordability of alcohol beverages which are sold virtually at every corner nationwide.

The press release revealed that over three million persons lost their lives yearly due to alcohol which is also responsible for over 200 diseases and health conditions such as diabetes, liver cancers as well as infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, pneumonia amongst others.

"We continue to commend the FDA for being resolute in protecting Ghanaian children and our future generations from the harm and dangers of alcohol," the statement added.

In as much as GhanaPa salutes celebrities who have boldly stated their position to stand firm with us, we shall as a Civil Society Organization resist any attempt by others who aimed at nothing but their selfish interests which has the potency to jeopardize the foundation of the Ghanaian child, the statement concluded.