ABL , GIZ urge pregnant women to avoid alcohol

Accra Brewery Limited (ABL) and the German Development Agency (GIZ) has organized a week long sensitization programme to educate over 1,000 pregnant women to avoid alcohol consumption due to its negative effects on the unborn child.

The programme, held at the Kaneshie Polyclinic and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, forms part of the ABL’s wider on-going efforts to engage its stakeholders to collectively address and promote responsible drinking.

ABL is a signatory to the Beer, Wine and Spirits Producers Commitments, signed by 13 global alcohol producing companies (including ABL’s parent company, SABMiller Plc) in October 2012, to reduce harmful drinking in their areas of operation.

Accra Brewery Limited, with the help of doctors, midwifes and healthcare professionals educated expectant mothers on the effects of alcohol on the unborn child and provided tips to help prevent Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Speaking at the sidelines of the programme, Ms. Adjoba Kyiamah, the Corporate and Legal Affairs Director of ABL, indicated that, while increasing sales is a priority, given the competitive nature of the brewery industry, Accra Brewery will not renege on its commitment to promote responsible alcohol consumption in Ghana.

‘‘As a subsidiary of SABMiller Plc, ABL is enjoined to help create a ‘Sociable World’ where all our alcoholic products are developed, marketed, sold with high regard for individual and community well-being’’. She remarked.

Narrating the company’s efforts in this quest, she indicated that through ABL’s alcohol policy framework, employees are encouraged and trained to drink responsibly.

She also cited ABL’s Responsible Retailing Programme, which started in 2013, and has so far trained hundreds of retailers in Accra and Kumasi and their environs on the need to sell responsibly, and not to serve the underage, pregnant women and intoxicated customers.

Ms Kyiamah indicated that, Accra Brewery will continue to collaborate with its stakeholders in promoting issues of responsible drinking, which is a significant factor in ensuring the sustainability of the alcohol industry.

ABL in 2014 also partnered with GIZ, to commemorate the FASD day at the Ridge Hospital, to educate pregnant women about the risks associated with alcohol consumptions whilst pregnant.