AngloGold Ashanti marks Africa Day and efforts to fight coronavirus

AngloGold Ashanti has joined over 1.2 billion Africans across the continent and in the diaspora to mark Africa Day.

In a statement, the company said the day was being marked at a time when the African Union (AU) is spearheading several initiatives aimed to combat the spread of COVID-19 and ensure Africa’s economic resilience.

The theme for this year’s Africa Day: “Silencing the Guns; creating a conducive environment for Africa's development” provides the relevant framework to all stakeholders including governments, the private sector, civil society and academia to join forces in the fight against the pandemic, ensuring that livelihoods are protected and keeping economic activity alive.

The theme is in pursuance of the aspirations of Agenda 2063, which provides a developmental framework towards a continent that is integrated, prosperous and peaceful.

Other flagship projects include the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has come into force and which aims to boost intra-African trade.

Africa’s leaders met and developed a comprehensive, continent-wide response strategy to COVID-19 in March.

The strategy aims to enhance collaboration and communication on COVID-19 by member states and partners, including Africa CDC, which specializes in efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, prevention and control of diseases in AU member states.

AngloGold Ashanti is committed to supporting the AU in its response strategy and is working in cooperation with the respective government programmes and stakeholders to roll out a series of hygiene and educational interventions at its sites and across communities.

As a pan-African investor, AngloGold Ashanti operates in five countries across the continent and is a joint venture partner in a mine in a sixth.

It employs more than 20,000 people including contractors. The company continues to build its African operations, investing millions of dollars annually in sustaining and growing its portfolio on the African Continent.

“AngloGold Ashanti aims to support the countries in which we operate to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The company continues to work closely with governments and communities and has rolled out a number of interventions to keep people safe,” said Sicelo Ntuli, Chief Operating Officer for Africa.

“AngloGold Ashanti congratulates all Africans on the occasion of Africa Day and will continue to work in partnership and support governments and communities where it operates,” he said.

The company has introduced measures to slow the spread of the infection, stepping up screening and surveillance of employees, banning non-essential travel, instituting clear self-quarantine measures where applicable and increasing hygiene awareness and facilities across its operations.

AngloGold Ashanti also has a range of humanitarian initiatives in place. It is committed to working with governments at all levels and a range of other stakeholders to slow the spread of COVID-19.