I HAPPENED to be at the corner of Main and Quamina Streets last Friday, Oct 10, at the same time the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was setting up the launch event for Mashramani 2015. There were many children in the audience, as well as on the programme of this event. I was appalled, therefore, to see large Banks Beer banners prominently displayed near the Ministry and stage, as well as by a tent selling Banks beer in the public avenue.
I know that Banks DIH is one of the major sponsors of Mashramani programmes, and I have no problem with adults consuming alcohol in a responsible manner. However, I find it extremely disturbing and irresponsible for alcohol advertising and sale to be done at what was effectively a Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport event.

It is no secret that alcohol abuse is sadly rampant in the Guyanese society. It is a major contributor to many societal ills such as domestic and other inter-personal violence, traffic accidents, suicide, etc. I have personally witnessed children consuming alcohol, in the presence of adults and their parents, many of whom seem not bothered by such behaviour.

Children learn from adults and environment around them and mimic the behavior they see. We adults have a responsibility to teach young people how to think critically, make good choices, and contribute positively to society. Unfortunately, the sale and consumption of alcohol is a common feature of the Guyanese landscape and something that children are exposed to in a variety of formats – from songs that celebrate drinking, to massive billboards about which drink is more manly, etc. A Youth Ministry, however, should never be party to the promotion of alcohol. Some may say that I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but it is small instances like these that add up over time to shape attitudes, behaviours, and cultural practices.

When the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport allows alcohol advertising and sale at their events, the message transmitted to the youth of Guyana is that alcohol consumption is sanctioned by the authorities, part of the ‘normal’ way of doing things, “we culture”, and nothing to question. Banks DIH makes a variety of products – not just alcoholic beverages, and if the Ministry of Youth and the Banks DIH corporation were committed to social responsibility principles, they could have made sure that alcoholic beverages were not offered at this event.

It is disappointing and disturbing to see persons who should theoretically be caring for the youth of this nation so unthinking and clueless in their actions. Such serious lapses in judgment also bring into question their overall commitment to the youth of Guyana and their ability to provide proper guidance. With mis-leaders like these at our helm, sadly, the only direction is down. I call on those responsible for decision-making at the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport to seriously re-examine their practices and to make a public commitment to not promote alcohol consumption at their events in the future.

S. NAGEER