Ghanaian musician Mzbel has expressed her willingness to relocate to Nigeria if she receives a profitable endorsement deal for an alcoholic beverage.
This comes after the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) regulations that prevent celebrities from endorsing alcoholic products.
According to her, she finds the FDA’s regulation to be restrictive, as it hinders celebrities from securing endorsements with alcohol brands, which could be a significant source of income.
She mentioned that a lucrative offer from a Nigerian alcohol company would lead her to consider moving there to pursue the opportunity and earn a living.
In an interview with Onua FM, Mzbel voiced her frustration over the prohibition on celebrities endorsing alcoholic beverages.
“Perhaps I’ll have to move to Nigeria for a year or so if I land a lucrative deal to film an advertisement. I’m uncertain if the government will restrict celebrities from filming such ads in other countries. If that becomes the case, then we’ll have to oppose it.
“Should I secure a deal with an alcoholic brand overseas, I would accept the money, carry out the endorsement, and promote it on my social media platforms. Alcohol advertisements are quite profitable, so it’s confusing why we’re not permitted to capitalize on them,” she stated in Twi.
She made these comments following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the FDA’s guidelines prohibiting celebrities from endorsing alcoholic beverages.
Originally established in 2016, these guidelines prohibited celebrities and professionals from appearing in alcohol ads.
However, Mark Darlington Osae, the manager of Reggie N Bollie, challenged this directive, arguing that it was unconstitutional and discriminatory.
He took the case to the Supreme Court, claiming that the FDA’s regulation violated the equality and non-discrimination clauses in the Constitution.
On June 19, 2024, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, dismissed the lawsuit and upheld the FDA’s guidelines as constitutional.
SB/BB