The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), in partnership with Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC, a subsidiary of DIAGEO Global, has successfully educated over 5,000 students on the dangers associated with underage drinking in the Oti Region in a bid to combat child alcoholism.
The five-day program, which ran from July 24 to July 28, 2024, aimed to raise awareness about the risks of child alcoholism. Through interactive drama performances, students learned about the consequences of underage drinking, including impaired cognitive development, increased risk of addiction, and negative impacts on mental health, as well as cancers.
The project called SMASHED, sponsored by Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC, forms part of the company’s positive drinking initiatives. With the support of the Health and Work Environment Agency (HAWEA), the project reached out to students in ten (10) Senior High and one (1) Basic School across 5 districts within the Oti Region.
Mr. Robert Boame, Oti Regional Director of NCCE, , expressed his delight with the project’s impact, stating, “We are thrilled with the success of this collaboration and grateful to Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC for their support and partnership, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership in the coming years to continue making a positive difference in the lives of our young people.”
The project’s use of drama as a medium for education proved effective in captivating students’ attention and conveying critical messages about child alcoholism. By leveraging the power of performance, NCCE and Guinness Ghana created an immersive learning experience that will resonate with students long after the programme’s conclusion as well as make them ambassadors for change going forward.
Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC’s sponsorship of the project demonstrates the company’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility as well as Diageo’s 10-year program called ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’.
This is Diageo’s 10-year action plan to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world. Partnering the NCCE for this program indicates the Business’s dedication to the campaign against child alcoholism in Ghana, and they look forward to completing all schools within the Oti region for the rest of this year and nationwide coverage in the next year and beyond.
As the NCCE and Guinness Ghana look to build on this success, their collaborative efforts will undoubtedly continue to inspire positive change and empower young people to make informed choices about their health and well-being.
Credit:- NCCE Oti Region
