The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has advocated action from the government after more than a decade of stalled attempts to pass the Advertising Bill, warning that unregulated advertising continues to mislead consumers, exploit vulnerable groups, and undermine industry standards.

According to the President of AAG, Andrew Ackah, the Bill, first drafted between 2009 and 2010, had suffered repeated setbacks across successive governments despite advancing through cabinet approvals and even reaching the floor of Parliament.

Mr. Ackah said this during the AAG’s annual general meeting in Accra on Friday. He said the process had been derailed by election-year pressures, leaving the industry without a clear regulatory framework.

“We have not been lucky or supported enough to keep the bill alive. That is why this time, we want to start advocating for the current cabinet to review the bill, which I think is one of the most comprehensive. For the current cabinet to approve it, so that it can go to the floor of parliament.”

The President noted that the absence of regulation had led to a surge in unethical advertising practices such as false product claims, unregulated billboards, and misleading spiritual promotions. Particularly troubling, the President said, were adverts that prey on vulnerable population groups, including women and children, while some brands make claims they cannot substantiate.