The urgent need for an Act on advertising in Ghana refuses to go away as both the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) highlight it as a key area of concern for the marketing communications industry.
At the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AAG, Andrew Ackah, President of AAG and his counterpart, Abdulai Awudu, President of GIBA raised concerns about the lack of any proper legal framework to regulate a huge industry like the advertising industry in Ghana. AAG has engaged previous governments with the positive expectations for the passage of the Advertising Council Bill, which has been touted as one of the most well-covered and well-drafted bills, yet the industry remains without any conclusive regulation.
Currently, however, the AAG has begun working together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness to re-introduce the bill to Parliament.
Apart from the matters on the Advertising Council Bill, the following areas were also covered:
- Digital Transformation: AAG celebrated the digitalization of its awards Gong Gong Awards entry system, enhancing transparency and efficiency for the awards.
- Gong Gong Festival of Creativity: The festival was brought back, this year (2025), after a two-year break. The come-back showcased the best of Ghanaian creativity. A proposed Gong Gong Awards Board was announced, although its official inauguration took place at a separate event on the 11th of December at the Airport West Hotel in Accra.
- Professional Development & Academic Engagement: The President reported that AAG launched collaborations with global institutions and tertiary schools to upskill practitioners and to nurture the next generation of advertising professionals.
- Government Relations & Advocacy: The Association continues constructive engagement with ministries, municipal assemblies, and agencies to address industry challenges such as double taxation, billboard regulation, and ethical advertising standards.
- Increased presence on the global advertising stage: Apart from Ghana’s enviable record with the International Advertising Association (IAA), the President also reported that AAG’s influence had led to some experienced individuals from member-agencies serving on Cannes Lions and the WARC jury panels now.
Inauguration of Committee Chairpersons: Eight Council Members were inaugurated to head the functional committees of AAG to bring a lot more efficiency in the association’s work. The following are the committees to which the eight council members were appointed head: Branding & PR, Education & Professional Development, Out-of-Home (Outdoor), Finance, Membership Drive, Regulatory & Government Relations, Events, and Legal Affairs.