Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Bangwato regent Sediegeng Kgamane, the village kgosi, the area Member of Parliament Prince Maele, elders and the youth attended the event. In his speech the BAIA chairperson Tsaone Semausu said his association had a meaningful relationship with the government making it possible for their objectives to be achieved. After four years of existence, the partnership needs to be reinforced in order to effectively fight alcohol abuse in Botswana.A programme such as AEP, he said, should be the first step in teaching the children to live the right life and also for the government to provide the platform through which children would keep themselves busy and avoid bars, depots and bottle stores. Kedikilwe viewed the occasion as a continuation of a journey to mould and nurture the youth into accountable and responsible citizens.
He also said the programme was supported by parents, the community, teachers and would give life skills to primary school children in the villages of Malaka, Lecheng, Mokungwana, Goo-Sekgweng, Mathakola, Manaledi and Goo-Tau to deter them from bad habits such as drug and alcohol abuse. "More importantly, it will help make young boys and girls have a vision and a plan to achieve their goals," he said. He said the occasion came at a time when the government was concerned about the increasing irresponsible use of alcohol especially among the youth, under-age drinking and binge drinking. He further said people abuse substances such as drugs and alcohol for varied and complicated reasons and that the launch answers the Vision 2010 pillar on building a compassionate, just and caring nation.
