The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has assured the newly elected executives of the Advertising Association of Ghana that he will fully ensure the passage of the draft advertising bill into passed.

The bill which is expected to regulate the practice of advertising in Ghana has been in the pipeline for some time now without any further attention.

Speaking at the 8th Investiture Ceremony of the President and Executive Council of the Association, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah pledged his commitment to get the Trade Minister to fast-track work on the bill.

The Advertising Bill has been going through some final works in the last couple of years after the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Advertisers Association of Ghana saw the need for regulation in the industry.

The bill has become critical due to the rising interest in the profession and the need for ethical advertising.

But the Information Minister said government will prioritise the bill.

“The much talked about advertising bill needs to as a matter of urgency be passed to bring the necessary regulator backing, standards and framework for the quick advancement of this industry. Any industry that doesn’t sort out its regulation quickly struggles.

“In markets where this industry has excelled, it has excelled within a properly regulated environment”, he explained.

Furthermore, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said “I do know how much work you have done already in the preparatory stages and I will like to assure that when all is ready, my doors at the Ministry of Information are open to help you see the draft bill passed into law” he assured.

In his first address, newly inducted president of the association, Andrew Ackah, underscored the need for regulation in the industry.

“We need that bill as a form of regulation to support government initiatives and also to help the industry to maximise its potentials. This is the reason we need government’s collaboration to make it a reality”,he said.

The newly elected President, Andrew Ackah is taking over from Mansa Amoa-Awuah who served for two years.

Other Council Executives were also inducted and sworn into office to take charge of the affairs of the association for the next two years.