AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has climaxed activities marking this year’s health month by screening and treating more than 5,000 residents in Obuasi and its surrounding communities for various health conditions—free of charge.

As part of the celebration, the mining giant, together with its partners—AGA Health Foundation, Geocrest, and the Ghana Health Service—organised four 'Mini Clinic' health outreaches aimed at bringing essential healthcare services closer to residents. The initiative provided free screening, diagnosis, and treatment for several medical conditions.

Held under the theme “Wellness Beyond Survival: Breast Cancer and Mental Health Matter”, the month-long exercise focused primarily on breast cancer and mental health, while also addressing other prevalent health concerns.

The screenings were conducted across several locations, including the AGA Club House, Wawase, Black Park, Binsere, and Sanso communities.

Empowering Communities Through Health

Speaking at a durbar to climax the initiative at the Sanso Community Park on Wednesday, October 29, the Community Relations Manager of AGA Obuasi Mine, Edmund Oduro Agyei, in a speech read on his behalf, said the Mini Clinic programme aligned with the company’s purpose statement: “Mining to empower people and advance societies.”

He explained that the initiative forms part of AGA’s broader commitment to improving community health and well-being through its Integrated Health Improvement Programme, which is a key component of the company’s 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP).

“Through partnerships with our collaborators, the screening exercise has reached over 23,000 individuals since 2021. This year alone, we have touched the lives of more than 5,000 community members through our mini clinics, thereby bringing healthcare closer to the people,” he said.

Mr Agyei added that the Mine has lined up several health interventions to complement the Mini Clinic programme, including the construction of the Binsere/Dokyiwa Health Centre, a CHPS Compound and health staff quarters at Apitikooko, and the refurbishment of the Akrokerri Health Centre, which includes a modern surgical theater.

Partners Commend the Initiative

The Human Capital and Administrative Manager of Geocrest Company Limited, Christabel Akorfa Dugah, encouraged both men and women to seek early medical attention when they notice abnormalities in their breasts, emphasising that early detection saves lives.

The Obuasi Municipal Health Director, Martin Osei Sarfo, also urged residents to prioritise their health and called for greater support for persons living with mental health conditions to aid in their recovery.

The Amanehene of Edubiase, Nana Osei Kwame, commended AGA and its partners for their continuous efforts in promoting healthcare within the municipality, noting that the Mini Clinic programme would significantly improve the health and well-being of residents.