Employees of Accra Brewery Limited (ABL), recently adjudged ‘Best Practices In Sustainable Manufacturing’ company in Ghana, and residents of Agbogbloshie, last week enjoyed  free Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) organised by the brewery at the Agbogbloshie Community Centre to observe the World AIDS Day, which is observed annually on 1st December.

This is in fulfilment of Accra Brewery’s ten sustainable development priorities which includes contributing to the reduction of HIV/AIDS and promoting good health, and also its commitment to ensuring that its employees and the communities in which they operate enjoy better and sustainable standards of living.

The fourth of its kind for the Agbogbloshie community, saw about 300 traders and residents of the community undergoing the VCT exercise.

Accra Brewery for five consecutive years, in partnership with the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) has been organising health screening exercises for the Adabraka community.

The market queens and folks, residents of the Agbogbloshie community as well as ABL’s employees who participated in the exercise, went through counselling and were tested for HIV/AIDS as well as syphilis. They were also advised on prevention methods, how to live with infected persons in order to discourage discrimination of people who live with the virus.

During the exercise, Mr. George Anani Azaiaduvor, one of the Agblogbloshie Community Youth Leaders on behalf of the community expressed their appreciation to the management of ABL for their good intentions towards the traders and people of Agblogbloshie. 

He indicated that, “through this exercise, many individuals will get to appreciate issues regarding HIV/AIDS and thus, contribute to a reduction in the prevalence rate of the disease.”

Commenting on the event, Ms. Joyce Ahiadorme, Corporate Communication Manager of ABL, said, “The involvement of employees was in line with the company’s commitment to ensure the health and well-being of its internal stakeholders.”

She also indicated that this year’s VCT exercise goes to deepen ABL’s relationship with residents of its operational areas because “we believe that the success of our business and the success of the community surrounding our business are tied together.”

Christiana Arhin Pokua, an employee of ABL also expressed her gratitude towards the management of ABL, for making it possible for her and her colleagues to undergo this exercise annually. She encouraged people to check their status in order to adopt ways of preventing the spread of the virus. She also stated that she is now better informed on how best to live with people with the virus and pushed for the campaign of no discrimination towards infected people.

Accra Brewery Limited has on a consistent basis since its establishment in 1931,concentrated on improving the lives of the communities they operate in. They have on a number of occasions donated chemicals and spraying equipment, medical equipment, educational materials amongst other social amenities these communities require.