First Lady commends Gold Fields for improving health catchment areas

Ghana’s First Lady Rebecca Akufo Addo has commended mining giant Gold Fields Limited for undertaken initiatives that seek to improve the conditions of people within and beyond their area of operations.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at Huni Valley in the Prestea Huni-Valley district in the Western Region during the Commissioning of the Huni-Valley Health Centre

“Companies should care about the well-being of the communities within which they operate. Indeed, national development does not rest with the government alone. We must all play our part towards a healthy and prosperous nation.

I am aware that many companies, including Gold Fields, continue to make significant contributions towards our nation’s development” she urged them.

Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo also noted that Corporate Social Responsibility, has evolved beyond giving charity and it is now about how organisations run their businesses with emphasis on sustainability.

She also donated to the Huni Valley Health Centre, some medication and an ambulance to be delivered soon to help enhance service delivery at the health centre.

“I would also urge you to continue to implement strategies, to reduce the impact of mining activities on host communities. Protecting the environment is also a key component of Corporate Social Responsibility” Mrs Akufo-Addo advised.

Earlier, the First Lady commissioned a community library and donated some books as part of her “Learning to Read, Reading to Learn” initiative at Aboso at a cost of three hundred and sixty thousand Ghana cedis.

On his part the Executive Vice President and Head of Gold Fields West Africa, Alfred Baku revealed that the facility previously had only six beds and has now been upgraded to a 26-bed health centre which has been equipped with a child healthcare centre and two consulting rooms for doctors.

“As most of you may be aware, we fund host development and improvement programmes through our Foundation which focuses on the following five key areas: health, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure and agriculture.

Since its establishment in 2005, the Foundation has invested over US$66.5 million in infrastructural development and livelihood enhancement programmes in our host communities he stated.

In all the company commissioned 11 projects which include the rehabilitation of the Nana Angu–UMaT road, which provides an alternative route for motorists in Tarkwa.

The 2.4 kilometre road, which was previously dusty and inaccessible, is expected ease traffic on the main Tarkwa highway and the town centre and the Akoon Park, which was first constructed by the State Gold Mining Corporation (SGMC) in the 1970s.

The park deteriorated over the years, and in 2017, Gold Fields decided to improve the park to an acceptable standard. The park now has a standard fit-for-purpose pitch, a redesigned change room, VIP seating and ticketing booth.

Mr. Baku further added that Gold Fields focus has shifted to shared-value projects that have measurable sustainable impacts on our host communities.