AGL emerges first in Safety Competition

Wassa Akyempim (W/R), Oct. 1, GNA- Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL) emerged champions in this year's Zone One First Aid/ Safety Competition. The competition was organized jointly by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission and the Chamber of Mines and hosted by Golden Star Wassa Limited.

It was held at Wassa Akyempim and was under the theme "Take Safety Home".

AGL scored 86 points in both orals and practical, followed by GoldFields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine, with 84 points, whiles Golden Star Wassa Limited came third with Golden Star Bogoso/Prestea Limited taking the fourth position with 70 points. Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) and Anglo Gold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine took fifth and sixth positions with 68.7 and 66 points respectively. All the Mine catchment communities put up a demonstration on First Aid and the GMC community was adjudged as winners followed by AGL and Tarkwa Mine.

The three communities have been selected to represent Zone One in the National First Aid/Safety Competition to be held in December this year at AGL.

An address read on behalf of Prof Daniel Mireku-Gyimah, Vice Chancellor, University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), said Mining has contributed significantly towards the development of many economic activities all over the world. He said the problem area of this industry is the unavoidable disturbance caused to the geo-environment during mining. Prof Mireku-Gyimah said the industry is however responding within the constraints of the available mitigation technologies to overcome these difficulties.

He said the mining industry has developed valuable skills and practices in the field of First Aid and Safety over the years, and these practices are very relevant to worldwide disaster management programmes.

Prof Mireku-Gyimah said the mining industry could pave the way for effective management of disasters by facilitating training from national to district levels through the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).

Miss Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Mines, whose address was read on her behalf, said the Chamber acknowledges the quality of the health and safety practices by the Mining companies, which are vital for the work force.

She urged Mining companies to apply the policies and standards applicable to third party contractors to comply with the industry's strict safe driving codes to enhance safety on the roads, particularly in the host communities. 1 Oct. 07