As part of efforts to prevent malaria and promote healthy lives and well-being of its employees and communities AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem) Limited will institute an Awards Scheme.
The initiative, dubbed the Cleanest Community Award, is expected to be jointly organized by the Mine and the Environmental Health Department of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly every year to motivate the host communities to keep a clean environment.
Samuel Bonney Noi, acting on behalf of the Managing Director of Iduapriem Mine, said the initiative is a demonstration of the Mine’s commitment to improving community health through strengthening local health systems for sustainability.
He was speaking at a health screening and durbar organized to commemorate the World Malaria Day.
Mr Noi announced that the Mine has committed more than ¢400,000 to support malaria prevention interventions in its host communities in 2019 and charged all stakeholders to support the fight against malaria to achieve the zero-malaria target.
“We are very hopeful that if we all commit to doing our part effectively, we can definitely achieve our zero-malaria target,” said Mr Noi. “Malaria is preventable! But the responsibility to prevent Malaria is in your hands! What are you going to do differently?”
He further indicated that the Mine had purchased and distributed about 20,000 insecticides treated nets to 16 host communities, employees and dependents and about 4,500 students in three Senior High Schools in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality since it started its Malaria Control Programme in June 2017.
By way of ensuring the success of the initiative, the Mine distributed 72 waste bins to 16 communities, health facilities and schools within the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality with a call on the beneficiaries to put it to effective use to ensure cleanliness within the municipality.
The 2019 World Malaria Day was on the theme ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me.’
The durbar was attended by a host of dignitaries, including the Gyasehene of the Apinto Divisional Stool and the Mine’s Malaria Ambassador, Nana Dr Adarkwa Bediako III, the Municipal Health Director, host community chiefs, among several others.