Goldfields Ghana Limited has proven that it’s a responsible corporate citizen by honouring a promise it made to the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, to resource two major health facilities with ambulances. The mining company yesterday handed over two brand new ambulances to the Health Directorate to support emergent care at the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Hospital and the Apinto Government Hospital.
The two ambulances which are fully furnished with biomedical equipment came at a cost of two hundred and forty-eight thousand US Dollars (US$248,000).
General Manager, Tarkwa Mine, Stephen Osei Bempah in his address at a handing over ceremony in Takrwa noted that Goldfields owes the people of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality a duty of care, as over 69 percent of its workforce are from the locale.
“We trust that the ambulances, which cost two hundred and forty-eight thousand US Dollars (US$248,000), will be put to good use for the maximum benefit of our community members. We urge hospital administrators to put in place a maintenance plan to ensure that the ambulances remain in condition and serve the community for many years. Please maintain the ambulances the same way you would take care of your own private vehicles.
“Nana Chairman, we invest significantly in health because we believe that healthy people build a healthy nation. Since Gold Fields employs over 69% of its workforce from the host communities, providing health support to our communities simply means that we are taking care of our own. In line with our shared-value initiative, we will continue to complement the government’s effort in the development of our host communities,” he stated.
On behalf of the two hospitals the Municipal Director for Health, Mrs. Carolina Eshun-Otoo expressed a profound appreciation to the management of Goldfields Ghana Limited. She mentioned that these facilities would enhance their service delivery, especially in managing maternal and neonatal conditions that get terminal.
“Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality has the biggest fleet of ambulances in eh Western Region and comparably in most regions in the country. These robust ambulances donated by Goldfields Ghana Limited will help reduce maternal and neonatal deaths the municipality is battling with as well as other emergencies that need a swift referral,” she mentioned.
Member of Parliament for the area, George Mireku Duker commended the company for living up to expectations. He scored that the company remains a loyal and formidable partner in the development of the area.
“Goldfields has always been there for Tarkwa Nsuaem and beyond” he remarked.
In Tarkwa, the Foundation has made contributions towards improving healthcare which include the construction of a maternity block at the Apinto Government Hospital, renovation of the Tarkwa Midwifery School and the construction of health centres at Huniso and New Atuabo.
In respect of COVID-19, Gold Fields has so far committed more than eight hundred and fifty thousand US Dollars (US$850,000) to fight COVID-19 in our operational areas and other parts of the country. At the national level, the company, through the Ghana Chamber of Mines, contributed over Four Hundred and Thirty-Three thousand US Dollars (US$433,000) to support the government’s efforts to reduce the spread of the virus and assist the most vulnerable sections of Ghana’s population.
