From Marlvin-James Dadzie, Huni Valley, W/R
The Chief of the Bosomtwi Divisional Council in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region, Nana Kwabena Amponsah IV, has admonished Ghanaians to adhere to the Covid-19 safety protocols with all seriousness to reduce the spread of the disease.
He said coronavirus is real and it is about time Ghanaians took it serious by following the laid down safety protocols outlined by the Ghana Health Service (GES).
That, he said, is the only way to reduce the spread of the virus to its barest minimum.
Nana Amponsah IV gave this admonition when he addressed stakeholders at the Gold Fields Damang Mine Community Consultative Committee meeting held in Huni Valley on Thursday.
He bemoaned the situation where some members of the public were not following the laid down protocols stressing that that must change.
He said the fight against covid-19 would surely be won but stressed that individual commitment to the fight remains critical.
He commended Gold Fields Damang Mine for the enormous assistance to its host communities even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic particularly in the areas of healthcare, education and employment.
The Regional Manager for Sustainable Development Projects at Gold Fields Damang, Mr. Abdel-Razak Yakubu, corroborated the admonition of Nana Amponsah IV, saying that Gold Fields Damang Mine was sparing no effort to tackle the virus.
He said the strict wearing of nose mask was being enforced at all Gold Fields facilities and events.
He said the washing of hands and the use of hand sanitizers were also being promoted vigorously, adding that, social distancing was also being adhered to.
The company, he said, has also prohibited talking in buses, all in a bid to reduce the spread of the disease.
In addition to the various assistance the company has given to its host communities in the area of health to fight covid-19, Mr. Yakubu said several other Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and consumables were being imported for onward distribution to host communities.
Touching on Education, he said Gold Fields Damang has signed a contract for the construction of a 350-bed Dormitory for the Huni Valley Senior High School (SHS).
On employment, he said 153 persons from host communities have been employed by the company between January and June 2020, adding that it was a remarkable feat.
He reiterated the commitment of Gold Fields Damang to assuage the plight of its host communities and urged for a continuous harmonious relationship between the company and its hosts.