World Malaria Day held at Ayanfuri
People in mining communities have been advised by the Managing Director of Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited, Mr Wayne Nicoletto, to support the fight against malaria by ensuring that their environments are clean.
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He said even though the company and the Ministry of Health were doing their best in the company's operational areas, it was incumbent on the people to ensure that choked gutters, stagnant water, and bushes were cleared so that mosquito larvae could not develop.
Speaking at the celebration of World Malaria Day at Ayanfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region, Mr Nicoletto said “there is no way someone should die as a result of an insect bite”.
He said Perseus Mining had embarked on a malaria prevention campaign in the mining communities to fight malaria.
The activities included the spraying of households and public places, and distribution of treated bed nets to individuals and organisations.
Mr Nicoletto disclosed that Perseus had donated bed nets to the Wassa Akropong and Dunkwa government hospitals, and the clinic at Ayanfuri.
Besides, 250 long-lasting bed nets had been supplied to its employees and contractors as part of the celebration of World Malaria Day while the company was in the process of distributing 700 more of the nets to the people in the communities, especially women.
The best way to fight malaria, he noted, was prevention.
Mr Nicoletto said the company was committed to the health and wellbeing of its host communities.
Consequently, it would continue to develop programmes and projects that would benefit the people.
Currently, he said, 80 young men and women from all the five communities in the mining area were undergoing a six-month apprenticeship training in masonry, plumbing, carpentry and electrical installation, at the instance of the company.
After the training, they would be given the necessary tools to support them to start their own businesses.
Mr Nicoletto further disclosed that the scholarship scheme instituted by the company was to ensure that the youth acquire quality education.
He announced that a settlement village for 300 families was to be built as part of the Elikan Project.
The District Director of Health Services, Mr Stephen Tie Toh, pointed out the devastating effects of malaria and said it behoved all to protect themselves against the disease.
He urged patients to report early to the health facilities to ensure early treatment.
The Chief of Ayanfuri, Nana Kwadwo Appiah II, who chaired the function, commended Perseus Mining for the good work it was doing in the communities.
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu