Author: Beyonce Diamond Kpogli
The Minister for information, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has called for the passage of the advertising bill in order to bring the necessary regulatory backing, standards and framework for the quick advancement of the industry.
He said any industry that does not sort out its regulatory industry quickly struggles and assured the Advertisement Association Ghana that his doors are open to help the passage of the draft bill pass into law.
According to him, advertising is a stimulant to demand and increases demand.
Speaking at the 8th Investiture Ceremony of the President and Executive Council of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) in Accra, the Information Minister called for the commitment to regular collaborative dialogue to explore how they can regulate and work together to develop a strong vibrant and stronger industry.
He commended the association for its tremendous achievements over the years and urged the newly inaugurated board to make the passage of the bill a priority.
Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Henry Quartey, appealed to the Information Minister, and MMDAs in Greater Accra to form an inter-ministerial committee to ensure that before the bill is passed the indiscipline in the industry must cease.
He assured that they will work with the MMDAs to make sure where billboards should not be erected are strictly adhered to and prohibited.
He noted that Billboards in Accra will be looked into and very soon they will tackle the indiscriminate wrongful allocation of billboards in Accra.
“Before the bill is passed, one very important thing we all have to take note of is the bone of contention for the advertisers association which has to do with indiscipline.
That is the major problem. I’m not a cabinet minister so mr minister respectfully I would like to appeal to you so that you will help me and my MMDAs in Greater Accra, Local Government, Trade and Industry Ministry to ensure before the bill is passed the indiscipline in this industry have to cease.
Outside our jurisdiction, erection of Billboards is properly done with the greatest of respect I think we have to walk the talk.
We have to begin to work with the MMDAs DCE to ensure that where there should not be a billboard, there should not be.”
On his part, the Newly Inducted President of the Advertising Association of Ghana, Andrew Ankah spoke about the importance of the passage of the bill and how it is going to help the industry when it is finally passed by Parliament.
“When the Bill is passed, it will be a great help, we are limited to a lot of simply because we don’t have a bill that regulates the industry. We need to upscale people to have the right skills and knowledge of the tools to produce excellent marketing communication and jobs, that’s why we are partnering with UPSA.
….Most of our schools do not teach most of the things we practice in the real world. Our world is changing thus, we need to teach our future practitioners the right skills and mindset accurate to be to thrive in the industry that is why we partnering with UPSA to do this.
Once we get this done we can bring all non-aged members who want to practice and learn the standards in marketing advertisement,” he explained.
