The FDA had earlier stated that it would strictly enforce the regulations that prevent manufacturers of alcoholic products from advertising their products on radio and television during the day.

However, in an interview with Citi News, the President of GIBA, Andrew Danso-Aninkora said the Association will negotiate with the FDA for a possible revision of the 14-hour daily ban.

[contextly_sidebar id=”T2yuL81rAAS02EE2nTfsXwTUnjLxkJoh”]He lamented that the ban will not only affect the revenue of broadcasters but potentially distort the programming of media houses.

He explained that, “the point is, it is not just about revenue. It is very much about our entire operations. It affects your programming and if a person who is advertising on a particular product, it will have to change. For instance, if you have targeted [ads on] a particular programme which may not take alcohol and after that, you will have to [move ads] to one which probably takes alcohol and after that, then you have to swap places so it affects the way you go about your programming.”

This would also mean some programming blocs may be loaded with more adverts than usual, Mr. Danso-Aninkora noted, adding that the situation “has to be managed somehow. If it means extending the time, we have to look at it that way.”

‘More engagement needed’

The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana is also hoping for a review of the ban.

Whilst lauding the attempt to regulate the space because of the patronage by underage persons, the General Secretary of the association, Samuel Aggrey, noted that there had not been enough engagement with stakeholders.

“It’s about time the FDA should have come up with such enforcement. On the other side, when it comes to the business aspect, there has not been enough engagement… when it comes to business aspect, it depends on us to put up responsible advertisements, not anything anyhow.”

“It’s good that we do engagements and ensure compliance and the way they [FDA] want the adverts to be run. They shoud tell us so it can be done that way instead of putting a total ban and enforcing the 8 pm assertion,” Mr. Aggrey said.

’15 years in jail’

The FDA’s current guidelines for the Advertisements on Foods (Section 3.2.6) and specifically the requirements for advertisements of alcoholic beverages, states that: “Radio and Television advertisements shall not be aired between the hours of 0600 am and 2000.”

However, lax enforcement of this regulation has seen alcoholic beverages advertised at all times of the day.

According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the FDA, James Lartey, persons who are found to be flouting the directive could face prison terms of up to 15 years as well as a fine of about 7, 500 cedis.

He stated that the move had become necessary because of the rise in the number alcohol ads during the day enticing minors to try these beverages, and ultimately affecting their health.

“Currently we have looked at the level of alcohol consumption in the media, it is very bad. And I think the earlier, we bring some stringent measures the better. So we feel that this is an attempt to actually enforce that aspect of the regulation,” he said.

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By: Farida Shaibu & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GIBA, Beverages Association want alcohol ads ban reviewed appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Association said it was “alarmed by the effects of the heavy sanctions on the stations, the extent these actions have on investments and the employment security of their workers.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”ieuZfUVVnEaSlmpkpWs9dGfLkdGOaxU5″]”The Executives believe the situation as it stands now is rigid, harsh and can affect the morale of others in doing legitimate business knowing the unpredictable terrain of business in Ghana,” GIBA stated in a released.

GIBA used its statement to encourage the affected parties “to continue exploring all avenues in opening discussions and engaging the authorities of the NCA to arrive at an agreeable solution to the matter.”

In this stead, GIBA will be holding an emergency Council meeting with its Council of Elders on Monday, October 2, “to discuss a common ground and the way forward with the matter.”

34 of the sanctioned stations had their licenses revoked because their authorizations had expired and were operating illegally.

Other affected stations have been fined and given 30 days to settle their indebtedness. Radio Gold and Atlantis Radio picked up the heftiest fines with GHc 61,330,000 and GHc 60,350,000 respectively.

In all, the fines build up about GHc1.18 billion for stations cutting across all regions of the country.

Find below the full statement

Re – NCA SANCTIONS 131 RADIO STATIONS

The Executive Council of GIBA has noted with great concern the actions of the National Communications Authority (NCA) in sanctioning some radio stations and the heavy fines imposed on others for various infractions. As much as GIBA wants to encourage state institutions to be actively exercising all mandates in performance of their duties, GIBA is alarmed by the effects of the heavy sanctions on the stations, the extent these actions have on investments and the employment security of their workers.

The Executive believes the situation as it stands now is rigid, harsh and can affect the morale of others in doing legitimate business knowing the unpredictable terrain of business in Ghana.

The Executive Council and leadership wish to encourage the affected members and all other members to continue exploring all avenues in opening discussions and engaging the authorities of the NCA to arrive at an agreeable solution to the matter. GIBA will also continue to offer support and open discussions at all levels of authority / governance to safeguard the interests of affected members. Members are encouraged to remain calm, open minded, tactful and to contact the secretariat for further consultations in finding a solution to the situation.

Meanwhile an emergency Council meeting with the Council of Elders of GIBA has been called for Monday 2nd October, 2017 in Accra to discuss a common ground and the way forward with the matter. The Council believes the association’s relationship with NCA remains good and the doors for negotiations still opened. A full statement on GIBA’s stand will be issued on Monday after the crucial meeting with the Council of Elders. Members are entreated to continue trusting in the efforts of the leadership and the association and to cooperate with information flow for a successful end to this matter.

Signed.

(Andrew Danso-Aninkora)

President (0242174333)

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NCA’s harsh sanctions threaten legitimate businesses – GIBA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Kwame Kyei-Andoh died of natural causes, according to the official autopsy report.

News of the death of the 21 year old match referee shook Ghana in the past fortnight after it was confirmed that he had been brutally assaulted at a lower division match on March 2 – five days before his demise.

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi finished the post-mortem a few days ago, but will present the official document to the relevant authorities on Tuesday, March 25.

Citi Sports sources in the Western Region indicate that the family are taking the news calmly, since most of them have been sure that the death of their relation was in no way linked to the beatings he got.

Looking back

The Ghana Football Association has banned Dompem Gold Stars from using the Bordie Park where the late referee Kyei Andoh was beaten by fans.

The  beatings by fans of the home side in a Division One league match between Gold Stars and NaaJoe United was widely thought to have resulted in his death days later.

Condemnation of the assault came from far and near, with Confederation of African Football (CAF) boss Issa Hayatou sending a strongly worded message to the Ghana FA.

“I wish to underscore that any acts of violence and attacks have no place in football and must be condemned and dealt with in the strongest possible terms and that you will take all necessary steps to address issues surrounding this sad situation,” Hayatou said.

Retired referee and match commissioner T.K. Aggrey told local media: “It was so so sickening and sad, I went to commission a match elsewhere, got wind of the incident and passed by. It is so sad, the young referee is dead.”

Assault of match officials is a common feature of the lower leagues in Ghana and many parts of Africa as well as South America.

By: Gary Al-Smith/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @garyalsmith

The post Ref death: Autopsy shows Kyei-Andoh died of natural causes appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.