The Supreme Court of Ghana has once again deferred its ruling on a pivotal case revolving around the prohibition of celebrity endorsements in alcoholic beverage advertisements.

Originally slated for May 8, 2024, the judgment was postponed with no new date by a seven-member panel led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. This follows a previous adjournment on April 10, 2024.

Mark Darlington Osae, the plaintiff in the case, took to his Facebook page to inform the public about the latest development, expressing disappointment at the continued delay.

Despite the lack of a new hearing date, Mark Darlington Osae remains optimistic that his legal team will keep the public informed once the court provides an update.

The lawsuit stems from the 2015 decision by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) to enact a ban on celebrities endorsing alcoholic beverages. Aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines aimed at safeguarding minors from alcohol-related harm, the regulation has faced scrutiny from Osae, a prominent figure in the music industry who chairs the Ghana Music Alliance.

Mark Darlington Osae contends that the FDA’s restrictions unfairly target individuals based on their economic status and profession, asserting that such measures infringe upon constitutional rights outlined in articles 17(1) and 17(2) of the Ghanaian Constitution.

As stakeholders await the Supreme Court’s verdict, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the advertising industry and the broader regulatory landscape surrounding alcohol marketing in Ghana.