Ghanaian community watchdogs are calling on authorities to prohibit celebrities, radio hosts and television personalities from endorsing sports betting, amid concerns over rising gambling risks among young people.
The Institute of Community Sustainability (ICS) has urged the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Gaming Commission and Parliament to introduce legislation that would ban celebrity-driven sports betting promotions.
According to ICS Executive Director Eric Jerry Aidoo, gambling advertisements featuring well-known public figures are increasingly visible in prime-time radio and television slots, as well as on social media platforms. He said such promotions can encourage youth to engage in gambling by creating unrealistic expectations of quick financial rewards.
Aidoo highlighted Ghana’s limited resources to manage gambling-related harm, noting that the country has no dedicated centres to treat gambling addiction. With a population exceeding 38 million, only five psychiatric hospitals operate nationwide, and none provide specialised services for gambling disorders.
Comparing the issue to the ongoing challenges posed by illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, Aidoo warned that unchecked gambling could threaten national development and financial stability, particularly among youth.
Ghana’s sports betting market has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now valued at more than $900 million, with industry data indicating that nearly 70 percent of young people participate in some form of gambling. Many begin gambling for entertainment or to meet daily needs, raising concerns about long-term financial risk.
Calls for a complete ban on celebrity endorsements reflect broader debates about responsible gambling and the influence of public figures in shaping youth behaviour.
