The Institute of Community Sustainability (ICS) has called for an urgent ban on celebrities, radio, and TV personalities from advertising betting and gambling across Ghana’s media platforms. In a statement, ICS expressed deep concern over the increasing promotion of sports betting by public figures who influence Ghanaian youth through social media, radio, and television. The institute warned that the unchecked spread of gambling could have devastating long-term effects, potentially surpassing the damage caused by the ongoing Galamsey crisis. Highlighting the country’s lack of specialized support, ICS noted that Ghana—with a population of over 38 million—has no dedicated gambling addiction centers and only five psychiatric hospitals, none equipped to handle gambling addiction.
Executive Director of ICS, Eric Jerry Aidoo, urged the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Gaming Commission, and Parliament to take immediate action to prohibit media personalities and celebrities from promoting gambling activities.
“Normalizing and commercializing gambling in the media is leading our youth into addiction and financial instability,” Aidoo said, emphasizing the urgent need for regulatory intervention.
