Afronitaa In Trouble For Advertising Alcoholic Beverage
A Ghanaian citizen by name Samuel Bempong has petitioned the Food and Drugs Authority against the use of a minor and a social media influencer to advertise Bel Ice , an alcoholic drink produced by Belbeverages Ghana Limited.
According to the petitioner, he chanced on a viral video in which popular Dancer, Yeboah Danita Akosua, known in social media circles as Afronitaa is seen actively advertising the alcoholic drink alongside her dance partners which include a minor.
In a letter to the FDA, the lawyers of Mr. Bempong said the decision by the company to promote the product using the popular Afronitaa Dance acts flouts the directive issued by the FDA in 2016 which bans celebrities from marketing alcoholic drinks.
The conduct of Bel Beverages to use a minor to advertise their product is deemed by the petitioner to be not only unethical but breaches the advertising laws of Ghana, hence the need to bring it to the attention of the FDA.
The petitioner has thus provided links to the said promotional video and implored the Authority to conduct further investigations and apply appropriate sanction if found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
The FDA in 2016 issued the directive banning celebrities from advertising alcoholic products, a move that received criticisms from key players in the creative arts industry. The decision has since been challenged by a group of celebrities and the Supreme Court has set February 10 to rule on the matter.
