Gold Fields Ghana commissions community clinic, nurses’ quarters
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service has constructed a community clinic and nurses quarters for the Damang Community to help improve access to health services to the people of Damang and its neighboring communities.
In a ceremony to officially Commission the clinic on Wednesday, 1st February, 2012, Mr. Alfred Baku, Vice-President, Operations of Gold Fields Ghana said, the project received consideration following discussions with the Prestea Huni Valley District Health Directorate. The Health Director had also recommended that the facility be upgraded into a Health Centre by adding a Maternity Block and an additional single unit quarters. This will however be implemented this year.
He said a total of GH¢286,234.41 (US$190,822.94) was invested in these projects via the Gold Fields Ghana Sustainable Community Empowerment and Economic Development Programme, (SEED)
The Western Regional Minister, represented by Mr. Kwaku Osei Poku, Dep. Chief Director said, “I am extremely happy to say that to date, Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested an amount of GH¢4.2 Million (US$2.8 Million) on community development by the Damang Mines since the establishment of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation in 2005.
Commissioning the Clinic, the Executive Vice President, West Africa Region, Mr. Peet Van Schalkwyk said, “I am particularly delighted to have commissioned in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service a community clinic and nurses’ quarters for the Damang community. This will greatly enhance the quality and access to health care services for the people of Damang and its neighbouring communities.
Much of this has been made possible partly due to the encouraging gold price. Despite this, the fiscal environment here in Ghana has become even more challenging than previously. The government’s 2012 budget proposal has raised many concerns for the mining industry, and particularly for Gold Fields Ghana. We will all need to be mindful of the implications of this for our operations going forward.”
Government has proposed a windfall profit tax of 10% for mining companies, corporate tax is to increase from 25% to 35% while capital allowance has been reduced to only 20% in a year when the company plans to commence the Greater Damang Project and the Tarkwa Expansion Project Phase 6.
Mr. Schalkwyk stated that “further guidelines on transfer pricing are to be introduced… clearly if these measures are instituted, it will impact on the level of spending we have at our disposal, and also impact on the creation of new jobs in our communities”, the EVP of Gold Fields added.
Mr. Van Schalkwyk took the opportunity to congratulate the senior national soccer team the Black Stars of Ghana for their sterling performance at the on-going AFCON tournament at Franceville, Gabon. He charged the team to continue to remain focused, win gold and make Ghana proud. Gold Fields has been the Headline sponsor of the Black Stars for the past seven years.
The Western Regional Director of Health, Dr Linda Vanotoo, commended Gold Fields Ghana for its consistent support for community development. She said, “This facility will greatly enhance the quality of health care delivery within the catchment area of Gold Fields Ghana’s operations.”
The Chief of Damang, Nana Amoakwa III, who was the chairman of the occasion, thanked Gold Fields Damang Mine for their continuous support in providing sustainable projects in the community.
Other projects implemented last year under the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation include: a small town water supply system at Kyekyewere, a six classroom Block with staff common room, office and store for Damang R/C School, Bompieso community clinic (Phase 1), borehole fitted with hand pump for Koduakrom, renovation of a 5 unit classroom and two offices for Abosso Bosomtwe School.
The electricity extension to Damang New Site and Amoanda teacher’s quarters, borehole and overhead tanks for Damang Clinic, rehabilitation of Huni-Valley Anglican teachers quarters, six-seater w/c toilet facility for the R/C & D/C schools were all completed.
Other speakers for the colourful ceremony include: The MP for the area, Hon Francis Adu-Blay Koffie, Mrs. Sylvia Wadie, who delivered a speech for the District Chief Executive for Prestea Huni Valley District and Ghana Chamber of Mines representative.
This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform
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