Popular Ghanaian actress and television personality Joselyn Dumas has criticised the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) guideline barring celebrities from advertising alcoholic beverages, describing the policy as unreasonable and misdirected.
Speaking on the Keeping It Real show, Dumas argued that alcohol is an integral part of the entertainment sector and that banning celebrity endorsements without addressing the underlying issue is ineffective.
According to her, if the FDA’s decision to ban such advertisements is to protect children, then alcohol in general should be banned.
“Alcohol is part of entertainment. So, if you’re going to ban us from endorsing alcoholic beverages, then ban alcoholic beverages as well,” she said.
Dumas dismissed concerns that the influence of public figures could encourage alcohol consumption among children, stating that the responsibility lies with the parents and not the celebrities.
“You’re saying that because I’m a role model, a child is going to look at me advertising alcohol and start drinking… If you can’t raise your child, what has that to do with me? It’s a personal choice,” she stated.
Ban on betting, alcohol promotion affected the comedy industry – OB Amponsah
The FDA’s guideline, originally issued in 2015 and later upheld by Ghana’s Supreme Court, prohibits well-known personalities from featuring in alcoholic beverage advertisements to protect minors and reduce harmful consumption patterns.
Under the Guidelines for the Advertisement of Regulated Products, no professional or well-known personality may be used in alcohol promotions to shield young people from undue influence.
Critics of the FDA guideline have argued it limits economic opportunities for entertainers, while supporters say it is necessary to curb alcohol’s social harms.
Watch the video below:
ID/AM
Watch more videos from the 2025 Praise Achievement Awards below:
