The Supreme Court will on April 10, 2024, deliver judgment on the ban on celebrities from Alcoholic advertisements by the Food Drugs Authority (FDA).
The decision comes after lawyers of the Food And Drugs Authority (FDA), the plaintiff and the Attorney General's office told the court that they relied entirely on their respective statement of cases and processes filed.
The FDA in 2015 banned celebrities from advertising alcoholic beverages. The directive received criticism from a section of the creative industry including the Plaintiff Mark Darlington Osae.
They argue that the directive is in contravention of Articles 17 (1) and 17 (2) of the 1992 Constitution which mandates equality before the law and prohibits discrimination against persons on grounds of status, occupation, and religion among others. However, the FDA said the directive is to protect minors from alcoholic influences.
Following the directive Mark Darlington Osae filed a suit in 2022 to challenge the decision.
The case has been adjourned to April 10, 2024, by the Court which was presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo for a determination on the matter.
Other members of the panel were Justice Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu, Justice Samuel Adibu-Asiedu, Justice Ernest Gaewu, Justice Mariam Owusu, and Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie.
Chief Executive Officer of Image Bureau George Quaye, known as Aboagye of Taxi Driver fame told Journalists that, celebrities will not abuse any opportunity given to them to endorse alcoholic beverages.
"We are hopeful and pray that it goes in our favor. It's not as if anybody wants to banter with the FDA or fight with them in a way, everybody wants an amicable solution where it will be a win, win so that everybody can go about their business".
The celebrities have families, they have kids. Naturally, they will not want to endorse products that will affect their kids negatively. They are willing to be responsible and just as things are done responsibly , they also willing to do thus responsibly". he said
Source: Philipa Atanga/Court Reporter/Despite Media
