Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd (GGBL), Ghana’s only total beverage business has launched an innovative alcohol education programme dubbed “What’s Your DRINKiQ”’, targeted at tertiary students across the country.

The programme, which came off at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon saw 1,400 second year students of the University successfully going through the programme over a two day period.

What’s Your DRINKiQ, a collaboration between the Institute of African Studies, the department of Psychiatry of the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) and GGBL is an interactive course on alcohol, designed to educate and provide factual information to empower young adults to make informed choices about alcohol use.The collaboration with these key institutions provides cultural relevance and factual medical credence to the programme.

Speaking at the launch, Preba Greenstreet, Corporate Relations Director, GGBL said "we recognise that alcohol, when abused, can have significant consequences for the individual and society as a whole. We also recognise that young adults without the requisite knowledge may unwittingly abuse alcohol, and that their knowledge is seldom factually based.  This programme is specifically targeted to educate young adults empowering them to make informed choices and decisions on alcohol use.

"We are excited to be collaborating with the Institute of African Studies and the Department of Psychiatry of the UGMS in service of GGBL’s commitment to create a positive role for alcohol in Ghanaian society through knowledge sharing and tackling alcohol abuse in a targeted and measured way".

Commenting on the programme Dr. Angela Ofori-Atta, a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist at the University of Ghana Medical School said "there’s a knowledge gap on the effect of alcohol on the body and mind especially among young adults. This programme bridges that gap in an engaging way that speaks to young adults.

"It demystifies the subject of alcohol and covers topics such as how the body processes alcohol, the short and long term effects of alcohol and provides context on what constitutes the responsible use of alcohol. This education programme is highly recommended for every young adult".

On her part, Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Director of the Institute of African Studies said "this is the second year the Institute has collaborated with GGBL to run this programme for second year students of the university. We sincerely believe it’s the right programme at the right time.

"As students form permanent and enduring behaviour patterns at this stage in their development, we want to ensure they are informed and empowered to make the right choices".

What’s Your DRINKiQ, sponsored by GGBL, is delivered by clinical psychologists from the University of Ghana Medical School. The programme was co-designed by GGBL and the University of Ghana Medical School to educate young adults on the effects of alcohol.