Adjoba Kyiamah
The Association of Alcohol Manufacturers and Importers (AAMI) has pledged its support for the National Alcohol Policy (NAP), which was launched recently by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Baraka Policy Institute (BPI).
The AAMI noted that the National Alcohol Policy was in line with its own commitment to the promotion of responsible drinking.
AAMI and its members have been advocating a national policy since 2006 and so it comes as welcome news that the Ministry Health has finally adopted NAP that has the support of all stakeholders.
The National Alcohol Policy sets out a policy direction aimed at regulating the production, distribution sale, advertisement and consumption of alcohol with the aim of minimising the negative impact of its abuse on the individual, family and society as a whole.
Corporate and Legal Affairs Director of Accra Brewery Limited, and current chairperson of AAMI, Adjoba Kyiamah said, “We pledge our full support for the National Alcohol Policy and the immediate development of the Legislative Instrument. We believe effective implementation of the NAP will ensure all beverage alcohol manufacturers and importers in Ghana will be required to advertise and sell their products in a responsible manner. As responsible and compliant businesses, we would like to see best practice amongst all producers and importers of beverage alcohol, especially when it comes to the advertising and sale of alcohol.”
The Association last year signed the ‘Code of Commercial Communications’ to regulate the conduct of their business in the advertising of their members’ brands; an essential measure in the association’s partnership with government and maintaining public trust.
The Association of Alcohol Manufacturers and Importers (AAMI) was incorporated in 2008 with the objective of promoting responsible attitude and behaviour in the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
AAMI members are committed to compiling with laws and regulations of Ghana, hence the promotion of responsible alcohol consumption as mandated by the Food Advertising Guidelines of the Food & Drugs Authority.
The 25 companies believe that societally acceptable alcohol beverage consumption is possible within a responsible industry and society.
A business desk report