Newmont Ghana has announced a US$ 100,000 support package for Ghana’s public health efforts, to minimise the transmission of the Coronavirus in the country.
The contribution is to support two testing centres in Accra and Kumasi, as well as preventive measures in and around its Ahafo and Akyem mines and the Ahafo North project areas.
According to the statement copied to GBC’s Radio Ghana, the safety and welfare of Ghanaians take precedence over everything.
It says Newmont Ghana, recognizes the need to help fortify the capabilities of the country’s public institutions to enable them under-take mass testing and other public health measures to minimise the risks and impacts associated with COVID-19.
The statement stressed that the company’s gesture was informed by the logistical and infrastructure constraints by the country’s public health system, especially at the local health institutions in communities.
It further stated that out of the amount, $25,000 each is allocated to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, the two national testing centres in Accra and Kumasi to support the procurement of testing kits.
$20,000 dollars is allocated to the Asutifi North and Birim North District Assemblies. Furthermore, $10, 000 is provided for the Tano North Municipal Assembly.
The statement added that Newmont Ghana has also made a substantial donation to the Ghana Chamber of Mines towards the COVID-19 national fund.
It expressed the hope the contributions will significantly help the country to win the fight against COVID-19.
On measures to protect the company’s workforce and host communities, the statement disclosed that Newmont Ghana is taking proactive measures to protect its workers and people in communities where they operate.
Apart from initiating robust hygienic practices, social distancing guidelines and other precautionary measures, the company is also aligning mine operations to critical staff to reduce the exposure of workers to COVID-19.
