Abosso Goldfields Limited (Damang mine), a subsidiary of Gold Fields Ghana, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly at Bogoso to support the fight against Covid-19 in the mine’s host communities.

The PPEs include 21,420 pairs of gloves, 11,240 N95 and surgical face masks, 16,424 hand sanitisers, 1,080 protective gowns, 90 goggles, 95 surgical boots, 25 Macintosh aprons, 300 sample collection kits, 41 non-contact thermometres and 50 Veronica buckets.

The items, which cost over US$108,000, will be distributed to health facilities to boost the municipality’s preparedness towards the coronavirus.

Presenting the items to the municipal assembly, the HR Manager of the Damang Mine, William Empeh, noted that the mine had been proactive in its support to the host communities, even though, no case had been recorded in the municipality.

“Even before Ghana recorded its first two cases, our Community Affairs Department and the Wellbeing team embarked on an extensive sensitisation of our host community members, educating them on the recommended hygienic and social distancing protocols to avoid contracting the virus”.

He added that prior to the donation, the mine had distributed handwashing facilities to health centres and the communities, and also fumigated market centres, principal streets and lorry stations in the communities.

The Coordinating Director of the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly, Mr Kwesi Wilson, expressed profound gratitude to the company, and assured that the Municipal Health Directorate will put the PPEs to good use.

The donation to the assembly is part of the over $400,000 that Gold Fields has committed to supporting its employees and communities hosting its Tarkwa and Damang mines.

Gold Fields says it is also working closely with local and national health authorities to keep its operating areas safe, and to strengthen established protocols to manage any suspected and confirmed cases.

According to Gold Fields, it has contributed $433,891, through the Ghana Chamber of Mines, to the Ministry of Health, and donated $10,000 to the Covid-19 Trust Fund set up by the government. 

The mining company noted that the contributions would support government’s efforts to reduce the spread of the disease and assist vulnerable people in the country.

Gold Fields has so far committed more than $840,000 to support the Covid-19 fight.