The Association of Alcohol Manufacturers and Importers (AAMI) has lauded the Food and Drugs Authority for enforcing a 6 am to 8 pm ban on the advertisement of alcoholic beverages.

In a press release issued in Accra on January 18, 2018, the association said, “As commercial entities, the AAMI is engaging the FDA and other stakeholders to find an amicable solution that will promote responsible attitudes and behaviors in the marketing and consumption of alcoholic beverages as well as protect the marketing freedoms of alcohol manufacturers and importers to guarantee their sustainability and growth as key contributors to the development of Ghana.”

According to AAMI, whereas their members comply with the Association’s code and FDA regulations, some manufacturers and importers who may not be members of the association continue to flout them.

“The AAMI is, therefore, encouraging all non-member companies to join the association to create a united force in all levels of engagement with stakeholders,” the statement said.

Gabriel Opoku-Asare, Vice Chairman of AAMI and Corporate Relations Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited issued the release.

- Read the full AAMI statement below.

Association of Alcohol Manufacturers and Importers’ (AAMI) position on the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) advertising regulation

The Association of Alcohol Manufacturers and Importers (AAMI) was incorporated in 2008 with the objective of promoting responsible attitudes and behaviour in the consumption of alcoholic beverages and currently made up of 25 member companies across Ghana.

In December 2017, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) announced the enforcement of an advertising regulation which prevents manufacturers of alcoholic products from advertising their products on radio and television between the hours of 6 am and 8 pm per the FDA’s guidelines for the advertisements on Foods (Section 3.2.6).

AAMI has engaged with the FDA over the years as a key stakeholder and a regulator to support the association in achieving its objective whilst member companies demonstrate responsibility to ensure that their marketing freedoms are protected.

In 2016, the Association adopted a ‘Code of Commercial Communications’ to regulate the conduct of their business in the advertising of their members’ brands; an essential measure in the association’s partnership with government and maintaining public trust. The code ensures members maintain the highest standards in all their commercial communications including advertising in print and electronic media, packaging, merchandising, consumer promotions, product placement, point-of-sale information, sponsorship and research.

Whereas most members comply with the Association’s code and FDA regulations, it is also regrettable that some manufacturers and importers who may not be members of the association continue to flout these regulations which may bring the reputation of the entire alcohol industry into disrepute.

As commercial entities, the AAMI is engaging the FDA and other stakeholders to find an amicable solution that will promote responsible attitudes and behaviours in the marketing and consumption of alcoholic beverages as well as protect the marketing freedoms of alcohol manufacturers and importers to guarantee their sustainability and growth as key contributors to the development of Ghana.

The AAMI is, therefore, encouraging all non-member companies to join the association to create a united force at all levels of engagement with stakeholders.