Gold Fields Ghana Limited has presented two brand-new fully-equipped Mercedes Benz ambulances to the Apinto Government Hospital and Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Hospital in the Western Region.
The two ambulances cost US$248,000 and are to ensure good healthcare delivery for people of the area in which it operates.
Stephen Osei-Bempeh, General Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited (Tarkwa Mine), at the handing-over ceremony explained: “This is to demonstrate one of our core values; we made a promise to the good people of Tarkwa and we have delivered.
“At the sod-cutting ceremony for the reconstruction of Tarkwa and Abosso (TNA) Park into an international standard stadium last year, the MP – George Mireku Duker – made an appeal for Gold Fields to assist the Municipal Health Directorate with an ambulance to aid healthcare delivery. Alfred Baku, Executive Vice President and Head of Gold Fields West Africa, pledged to donate not one but two ambulances to the two government hospitals in Tarkwa,” he further explained.
Mr. Osei-Bempeh said this is just one of the many interventions by Gold Fields to improve healthcare delivery in the Municipality.
He urged hospital administrators to put in place a maintenance plan to ensure that the ambulances remain in good condition and serve the community for many years.
“We invest significantly in health because we believe that healthy people build a healthy nation. Since Gold Fields employs over 69% of its workforce from its host communities, providing health support to our communities simply means that we are taking care of our own,” he said.
He added further: “In line with our shared-value initiative, we will continue to complement government’s efforts in the development of our host communities”.
Mrs. Caroline Eshun-Otoo, Municipal Director of Health – Tarkwa-Nsuaem, said the ambulances will help to reduce the maternal and neonatal deaths which the Municipality has been fighting for some time now.
“This will enhance referrals to tertiary health care institutions when need be, and we urge all to continue observing all the protocols on COVID-19,” she said.
George Mireku Duker, Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, was happy Gold Fields Company Limited has honoured the promise made to the area’s people.
He urged the beneficiary hospitals to maintain the ambulances very well.
