Leadership of a group calling itself Ghana Drunkards Association has described the Food and Drug Authority’s (FDA) directive to ban all alcoholic beverages from the airwaves until 8 pm daily as senseless and without basis.
Head of the Food Safety Management Department at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Maria Aba Lovelace-Johnson, in an interview with Kaakyire Ofori Ayim on Atinka AM Drive, announced the Authority’s decision to direct owners of Media Houses to desist from advertising alcoholic beverages on their platforms before 8pm.
According to her, these advertisements go a long way to incite both drinkers and non-drinkers to purchase alcoholic products being advertised.
She explained that the authority has the mandate of protecting public health and safety hence the move. She explained that the advertisement of alcoholic beverages especially during the day time attracts minors who might want to try such a product.
However, Speaking to Kaakyire Ofori Ayim, president of Ghana Drunkards Association, Moses Dry bone explained that, it would be more appropriate for the FDA to direct media houses to rather advertise alcoholic beverages during school hours.
According to him, "kids of today" do not sleep before 8pm and such a directive will yield no positive results.