Ghanaian Afropop singer Wiyaala has responded to the controversy surrounding the Food and Drug Authority’s (FDA) decision to ban alcohol advertisements by celebrities.
In an interview on “The Afternoon Show,” Wiyaala criticised the authority’s directive, arguing it was not the right approach.
“Instead of just banning it, use us to actually educate young people about alcohol. Use us positively; they should not only look at the negatives.
They can actually use celebrities to educate people on alcohol, not just for consumption. They should think deeply about it. Sometimes the solution is not just running away from it but tackling the problem to find good solutions,” she said.
Wiyaala emphasised the distinction between promoting and influencing, urging authorities to establish clear rules and regulations instead of an outright ban.
“I personally don’t want to be a brand ambassador for alcohol because there’s a fine line between influence and promotion. Influence is more of an action from my point of view, and promoting is more of a choice.
The FDA should really come out with rules and regulations instead of just banning.
Leverage celebrities positively to educate the public on the dangers of alcohol consumption rather than imposing an outright ban on advertisements,” Wiyaala added.
