A Zambian medical doctor has embarked on a 140km- (87mile) walk to campaign for a ban on the consumption of alcohol in the country.
Brian Sampa says alcohol is a source of many problems in Zambia.
His campaign has earned him the moniker “Johnnie Walker”.
“Most gender-based violence cases are a result of alcohol, all non-communicable diseases are linked to alcohol, even mental health,” he told the BBC.
“If we want to increase productivity, alcohol has to be banned because it’s a business aimed at only enriching a few individuals.”
He kicked off his walk on Wednesday from the capital, Lusaka, and is headed to the central town of Kabwe. He plans on making the return trip by car.
Dr Sampa said his campaign – dubbed Walk to Sobriety Ban Alcohol Movement – was so far yielding positive results.
He told a local media outlet that he woke up on Thursday with swollen feet but was still determined to reach Kabwe town.
CAMPAIGN ON ALCOHOL BAN STILL ON COURSE DESPITE SWOLLEN LEGS – DR. SAMPA
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
Determined to reach Kabwe in Central Province as part of the campaign to ban alcohol, Resident Doctors Association of Zambia President Brian Sampa has – pic.twitter.com/OMQc44YOBn
— Diamond TV 📺💻📱 (@diamondtvzambia) July 21, 2022
Zambians are known to love their beer, a habit that once prompted the late founding President, Kenneth Kaunda, to threaten to resign.
