17 Mar 2020

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Peggy Serame says it is the responsibility of all to reduce consumption of products and services that have an adverse impact on the environment.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Consumer Rights Day in Lentsweletau recently, she said consumers have powers to champion sustainable consumption that would not have an effect on the environment through their purchasing power and behaviour.

“By finding environment-friendly alternatives as a consumer, you limit your exposure, cut down on waste and save money in the process,” said Ms Serame. She said it was through lifestyle changes that sustainability could be realised through reuse and recycling of products.

This year’s commemoration was held under the theme: Sustainable consumer. The minister said it afforded consumer advocacy groups a chance to speak with one voice towards raising awareness on current consumer issues. 

She said in an endevour to protect the rights of consumers, government has provided an enabling environment through legislative policy and institutional framework in the form of the Consumer Protection Act.

The act, she said, empowered consumers with information on services and goods. “Having relevant information of goods and services is a critical component for promoting sustainability by empowering consumers to make appropriate choices,” she said.

Minister Serame highlighted that it was the responsibility of the trade ministry to ensure that the rights of consumers were respected and protected against unfair business practices.

The board chairperson of Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA), Dr Malebogo Bakwena said through CCA policy and other related legislation, consumers were protected from any deceptive and fraudulent behaviour of sellers.

She urged consumers to ensure full utlisation of services offered by CCA.

“An informed consumer both on issues of competition and consumer protection is a powerful consumer,” she said.

CCA’s chief executive officer, Ms Tebelelo Pule challenged consumers to exercise their responsibilities and to be assertive and question the products offered in the market that were not up to the required standard. She raised concern over challenges faced by consumers such as consuming unsafe goods and services and unfair business practices. 

The World Consumer Rights Day was first commemorated in 1992.

Chairperson of Botswana Consumer Centre for Advocacy Research and Orientation (BCCARO), Dr Selinah Peters called for the use of products and services in a way that was not hazardous, wasteful or had a negative affect on the environment.

She emphasised the importance of consumer groups to help raise consumer awareness as they have powers to address challenges experienced by consumers in the market place.

She said BCCARO played the role of being the voice of consumers and ensured that they took responsibility for their consumption behaviour.

Assistant Minister of Basic Education and Skills Development, Ms Welheminah Makwinja concurred with the need for consumers to take keen interest on information shared to help improve quality of life.

“We must exercise our responsibility of staying informed by empowering yourselves with information provided and the proper use of products and services, and be able to speak out against sub-standard products,” she said. Ends