Ghanaian Afro-pop singer and songwriter Wiyaala has called on the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to clarify its guidelines banning alcohol advertisements by celebrities. During an interview on TV3's The Afternoon Show, she argued that the FDA’s directive is unclear and fails to satisfy the public's need for explanation.

Wiyaala highlighted the need to distinguish between promotion and influence, pointing out that this ambiguity causes confusion in the FDA’s guidelines. Instead of an outright ban, she suggested that the FDA should establish clear rules and regulations.

“I personally don’t want to be a brand ambassador for alcohol because there’s a fine line between influence and promotion. Influence is more of an action on my part, while promoting is more of a choice. FDA should clearly explain their stance rather than just imposing a ban,” Wiyaala stated on Monday, June 24.

Background

The FDA issued guidelines on February 1, 2016, prohibiting well-known personalities and professionals from participating in alcoholic beverage advertising. The FDA justified the guideline as a measure to prevent minors from being influenced by celebrities to consume alcohol.

The ban aligns with a World Health Organization (WHO) policy and aims to protect children and young people from alcohol addiction.

However, a citizen named Mark Darlington challenged the FDA's directive, claiming it violated the right against discrimination as guaranteed by Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution. The Supreme Court, in a 5-2 majority decision on June 19, dismissed the case and upheld the FDA’s directive, ruling that it was neither unreasonable nor excessive and did not contravene constitutional provisions.