November 2, 2020, Accra Ghana. The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) represented by the President, Mr. Torgbor Mensah; the International Advertising Association (IAA) World President, Mr. Joel Nettey; the Vice President and Area Director-Africa of IAA, Mrs. Norkor Duah; the past Presidents of the AAG, Mr. Emmanuel Addo, Mr. Reginald Laryea and Professor Tim Acquah-Hayford; the Executive Director, Mr. Francis Dadzie, called on the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House to introduce the newly-elected Chairman and World President of the International Advertising Association (IAA), a global marketing communications body.

Mr. Joel Nettey is the newly-elected Chairman and World President of the International Advertising Association. He is the first African to lead the 82-years-old association which has membership in over 40 countries.

President Akufo Addo commended Mr. Joel Nettey for bringing honour to the Republic of Ghana by being the first African to be elected as the IAA President. The President of the Republic of Ghana, in his speech, during the meeting, stated the need for the country to do something about projecting itself. He mentioned that in the country’s effort of projecting itself, it should not do so by just in the term of one President, but it must be a country-focused effort and that it is something that all must put heads together and make it work. He assured the association of the government’s assistance to champion the World Marketing Day since it would be of immense benefit by bringing dividends to the government and the people of Ghana.

The AAG also conferred on President Akufo-Addo the titles of an Honorary Member and Ambassador Extraordinaire of the Association, the first to be bestowed on any individual.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan Kyeremanten, indicated how Mr. Nettey’s promotion is a result of the hard work he had put in both home and abroad as well as President Akufo Addo’s achievements for the country around the globe. He gave utterance to the fact that the government is in support of the Advertisers Bill because President Akufo-Addo considered the private sector to be the anchor that tied up the structural transformation of the economy. He continued that Parliament would support the establishment of an advertiser’s council to regulate the advertising and marketing community space. Speaking about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Honourable Minister mentioned that Ghana was keen on benchmarking itself not only within Africa but globally.

Mr. Joel Nettey applauded President Akufo-Addo for bringing the AfCFTA Secretariat to Accra and successfully organizing ‘The Year of Return’. He stated how these two major initiatives of the President have made him a great brand ambassador for the country. He however observed that various governments who assume power in the country should collaborate with associations to assist in building a national brand. He stated the need for Ghana to sustain a solid national brand given the immense benefits it can give to the country. Mr. Nettey mentioned that all the countries that had been well branded went through various methodologies to achieve their goals, and suggested that a Brand Ghana Office be set up by an Act of Parliament with a dedicated source funding.

Mr. Francis Dadzie, the Executive Director of AAG, said the association had made every effort to regulate the industry since 2010 because all over the world, there is an advertising council established to regulate the industry in every country. He said the association, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, supported the Advertising Industry Bill to Parliament and got the first reading in 2016 but the process got truncated. He expressed the hope however that, the bill would resurface.

Accra, August 26, 2020: The Advertising Association of Ghana President – Mr. Torgbor Mensah received a delegation from the Association of Alcohol Manufacturers and Importers (AAMI) for a stakeholder engagement prior to the passing of the Advertising Council Bill latest November 2020.

Other executive members at the meeting were the Executive Director – Mr. Francis Dadzie, and the Executive Assistant – Mr. Terrick Torgbor.

The delegation from the AAMI was represented by Mrs. Aseye Nutsukpui, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager of Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC; Madam Eunice Osei-Tutu, Corporate Relations Manager of Pernod Ricard West Africa; Madam Adwoa Aaba Arthur, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director of Accra Brewery Limited and Madam Amanda Gadzekpo, Logistics Manager of Forewin House.
Established by the major producers and importers of alcoholic beverages in Ghana, AAMI is to co-ordinate and direct activities towards the responsible production and use of alcoholic products in Ghana.

Speaking to the delegation, Mr. Torgbor Mensah said “The association is working tirelessly to get the bill passed by parliament latest November 2020. Therefore, I urge all stakeholders within the advertising industry to properly understand and get themselves acquainted with the provisions in the Bill and the industry as a whole”.
The Executive Director, Mr. Francis Dadzie stated that the government’s contribution to facilitating the smooth passage of the Bill will add on to the many policies and projects implemented by the incumbent. He further said the advertising industry has been a non-regulated free playing field for advertisers in Ghana, adding that the AAG in its own way has tried to regulate the industry through voluntary compliance and moral persuasion. He also added that the Bill adopted standards and best practices across the world.

On her part, Ms. Aseye Nutsukpui said it was vital for both institutions to form a synergy to expedite the passage of the bill, however, stating that the AAMI had a few concerns in the Bill which were discussed.

Mr. Francis Dadzie assured the AAMI that once the Council is formed the subcommittees of the Council will be stakeholders and not the AAG members only. He added that the Council is not dependent on government support & funding.

The Advertising Council Bill will be put before Parliament in September when the house resumes sitting. The Bill addresses all discrepancies within the advertising industry and establishes the Advertising Council of Ghana, as the official body charged with the duty of regulating advertising, registering practitioners in the industry, and licensing advertising companies.

The President in conclusion mentioned that the AAG is the Ghana chapter of the International Advertising Association and its aim is to bring the industry together. He called on all corporate institutions to become members of the IAA to understand the advertising industry and other opportunities.

Thursday, July 30, 2020 – Dialogue with Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade and Industry to lay before Parliament the passage of the Advertising Council Bill.