The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) banned Ghanaian celebrities from advertising alcoholic beverages as an adherence to a World Health Organization (WHO) policy.
According to the Authority, the ban was part of efforts to ensure that minors are protected from being lured into alcoholism.
Well, from the look of things, the Food and Drugs Authority(FDA) is not lifting the ban anytime soon as Ghanaian celebrities who are not in agreement with the move have been told to look for alternatives ways of making money.
The principal officer at FDA, Mr.Kofi Essel in an interview with MzGee on 3FM’s Showbuzz addressing the concerns of some celebrities over the ban, stated that celebrities can rely on their brand and craft to make money and not through alcoholic advertisements solely.
“Celebrities don’t make their cash from the advertisement of alcoholic beverages. They make their cash from the fundamental work that they do which is entertainment. In Russia, there is a total ban on advertisements of alcoholic beverages. So lets assume Ghana also takes that stance where will they make their cash?.” He quizzed
Some Ghanaian celebrities who were not in support of the FDA’s ban include Shatta Wale, Wendy Shay, Edem, and Afia Schwarzenegger who bared their teeth out at the authority telling it to rescind its decision since the ban is robbing them of their livelihood.
The ban forced one alcoholic beverage company to seek the services of some Nigerian celebrities to promote it.
This word coming from the FDA’s points in the direction that the ban will not be lifted soon. Therefore, it behooves on Wendy Sahy and her other celebrities to up their games.
