25 Aug 2013

The Adolescent Empowerment Programme currently being initiated in the Tswapong North villages of Malaka, Lecheng, Mokungwane, Goo-Sekgweng, Mathakola, Manaledi and Goo-Tau, has the potential to benefit primary school children in the area.

Speaking at the launch of the Botswana Alcohol Industry Association’s programme on August 22, Vice President Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe, said the programme would give life skills to primary school children in the area as well as deter them from bad habits such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Dr Kedikilwe said adolescents would be empowered to understand and value themselves in terms of their talents and gifts. 

They will also have a grasp of available options when making choices, he said, adding that alcohol and drugs could destroy young people’s future by impairing their vision and focus on life.The Vice President stressed that the Education Commission of 1992/93 proposed that ‘education develops moral and social values, cultural identity, self-esteem and democracy’, hence the importance of the empowerment programme cannot be overemphasised.

He said the programme comes at a time when government was concerned about the ever increasing and irresponsible use of alcohol especially among the youth, under-age drinking and binge drinking.

Research, he said, had found that negative health and social consequences associated with drinking alcohol were many, and included gender based violence and poverty, among others. 

“That is why in 2008, the President appointed a commission to investigate the cause of the decay in moral values that is evident in society and to advise government on steps to be taken to arrest the trend before it swerves out of control,” he said.

Dr Kedikilwe said in the past, a child belonged to every parent, which meant they could be reprimanded by any parent; however, it seems parents forgot to pass this culture onto their children. As such, he implored parents to be good role models and take up their roles in the family to guide children.

The Vice President noted that the police recorded 3 748 drunken driving cases in 2012, and that already 1 885 offences had been recorded by June 2013.

“This is a worrying statistic and I hope the initiative will assist to provide moral uprightness in society,” he said.

Assault, he said, was another offence which increased significantly after the perpetrators and victims had taken alcohol beverages.

However, he pointed out that government, in partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations, communities and leadership, was taking action to combat the harmful effects of alcohol on society such as the 45 per cent alcohol levy, reduced hours of operation of alcohol outlets and amendment of the Road Traffic Act.

The association and teachers were commended for sacrificing their time to build a better Botswana. The Vice Oresident also commended parents who would be partnering with teachers to mould their children, including the leadership of the seven villages for embracing the idea.

For his part, the association’s chairman, Mr Tsaone Semausu said through this programme,  children would be taught about the dangers of drinking alcohol at a tender age.

He said the programme would also help mould children to become responsible citizens and contribute positively to the development of the country.

In its effort to combat alcohol abuse, Mr Semausu said the association erected billboards carrying messages of responsible drinking in the seven Tswapong villages.

Tswapong North MP, Mr Prince Maele, thanked the association for having started its pilot project in his constituency. ENDS