Newmont Ghana offers GH¢220,000 support to Ebola fight

Newmont Ghana has provided a medical support package valued at GH¢220,000.00 to assist with the country's preparations for any potential outbreak of the Ebola disease in Ghana. 

The medical support package includes two isolation facilities for the Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions, provision of personal protective equipment, thermal scanners, educational awareness materials and training of hospital staff. 

The package would be allocated to support the Ghana Health Service (GHS) at the district and regional levels and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Speaking at a short ceremony in Accra, the Regional Senior Vice President of the company, Johan Ferreira, said as a responsible corporate citizen, Newmont Ghana stepped forward to contribute to the country's Ebola preparedness plan.

“Newmont is taking the Ebola outbreak in West Africa very seriously and has embarked on a sustained community awareness campaign in our mining areas,” said Mr. Ferreira. “We have been working with the Ghana Health Service at the National, Regional and District levels to coordinate our activities and identify how we can provide support. In addition, our Ebola Management Team has visited and audited the readiness of the hospitals in the communities where we operate to determine what further assistance is required.”

The company also has designed and tested a phased response and contingency plan that details the steps to be taken to manage a potential outbreak of the disease near its operations. This includes setting up screening facilities at its mine sites and acquiring personal protective equipment and other medical equipment and supplies. 

“The health and safety of our employees, contractors and communities remain our foremost priority. As part of our efforts to support the country's preparedness efforts, we have embarked on a sustained education campaign to create awareness around Ebola prevention among our employees, business partners and surrounding communities,” added Mr. Ferreira.

Receiving the package, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Victor Bampoe, thanked Newmont Ghana for the package and called for more support from other organisations.

Newmont continues to provide support in-kind and otherwise to existing global efforts against the Ebola virus. The company's employees around the globe have demonstrated their commitment by generously donating to Newmont Mining Corporation's double-match for employee contributions to the Red Cross.