Accra Brewery Limited (ABL), a major player in Ghana’s beverage industry, has extended its responsible retailing training programme to engage its retailers in the GA West Municipality, on the need to sell their products responsibly.

The Responsible Retailing Programme, aimed at empowering retailers to ensure responsible sale, consumption and advertising of the various alcoholic-brands of the company, has so far trained over 400 retailers since its inception in February 2013.

The drive is consistent with the company’s commitment to helping create a sociable world where ABL’s alcoholic beverages are developed, marketed, sold and consumed, with high regard for individual and community well being.

Under the Responsible Retailing Programme, retailers are taken through topics such as ‘Alcohol and the Law’, ‘Alcohol and Pregnant Women’, ‘Alcohol and Underage Persons’, ‘Alcohol Abuse and Dependence’, as well as ‘Responsible Marketing and Promotions’ by a team of resource persons from the Health and Work Environment Agency (HAWEA).

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ellen Mensah, Programme Officer of HAWEA, applauded ABL for its consistent efforts at training retailers on responsible consumption, expressing optimism that knowledge gained from the programme would go a long way to help in the fight against alcohol abuse, especially among the Youth.

‘‘The adverse effects of underage drinking and binge drinking cannot be underestimated. While the government and other relevant state institutions continue in their fight against alcohol abuse, ABL’s consistent efforts in this regard is highly commended,” she said.

Ms Ewurafua Addo-Atuah, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Manager of ABL, expressed delight at the turn-out and level of interest of the retailers.

‘‘I am particularly impressed with the level of enthusiasm that you have attached to this programme. I am left with no doubt that your interest speaks volumes of your readiness to help us make beer the natural choice for the moderate and responsible drinker.’’ she added.

She indicated that as a subsidiary of SABMiller, ABL will continue to fulfil its commitment to uphold the provisions and objectives contained in the Global Alcohol Producers’ Commitments as signed in October 2012, to reduce, among others, harmful drinking.

The broad thematic areas of ABL’s Alcohol Policy touch on employees and stakeholder conducts, in relation to alcohol behaviour and communication; and alcohol intelligence quotient.

ABL believes that its responsible retailing programme and its continuous sensitization drive against drinking while pregnant, will encourage responsible consumption of alcohol.