Newmont rehabilitates and expands health centre

Kenyasi Number Two (B/A), Dec 1, GNA - Management of the Ahafo Mine of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) has spent 85,000 dollars to rehabilitate and expand the Kenyasi Health Centre at Kenyasi Number Two. The works included new roofing, extension of water to the center, provision of water closet toilet, construction of new female and male wards and two nurses' quarters. Mr. Kojo Bedu-Addo, the External Affairs Manager of the Ahafo mine, said at the handing over ceremony that the assistance to the health center was a demonstration of the company's commitment to the promotion of quality health care delivery in the mine-take communities. He said the rehabilitation was part of the successes chalked by the Resettlement Negotiation Committee (RNC). The Committee was formed in February 2004 to negotiate on behalf of the communities with NGGL on issues related to the development of the Ahafo project.

Mr. Bedu-Addo said Newmont, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders such as the International Finance Corporation, had broadened its community and work place health on malaria. This will include broadening the scope of education and prevention of malaria control through its treated bed net distribution programme in local communities and workplace. "The Worldwide Coalition of 200 corporate organisations including the United Nations and its affiliate such as World Health Organisation voted Newmont Ghana's workplace HIV/AIDS and malaria programme as the best in the workplace HIV and AIDS and malaria category", he said. Dr Richard Kwasi Hinneh, the District Director of Health Service, commended the Ahafo mine of Newmont for its assistance to health care delivery in the company's area of operation.

He said aside the works at the Kenyasi Health Centre, the mining company had also extended pipe borne water to Gyedu Health Center, constructed CHIPS compounds at Kenyasi and Nkaseim and assisted the directorate in the national immunization exercise. Dr. Hinneh said the Kenyasi Health Centre was to be developed into a polyclinic and appealed to Newmont for support. He further appealed to the Ahafo mine to upgrade the laboratory and procure X-ray and scan machines for the center. Dr. Hinneh said Out Patient Department attendance stood at 80 per day and appealed to the people in the area to patronize the center. Mr. Joseph Acquaye Deiben, the District Coordinating Director, said NGGL had been a key partner in the development of the district especially in the areas of water system, road rehabilitation, education and health.