Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL) Tarkwa Mines has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth GH?70,880.00 to schools within its operational area.

The items presented included, 6000 pieces of nose masks, 30 pieces of soap/sanitizer dispenser, 30 pieces of tissue paper dispenser, 100 pieces of tissue paper, 112 gallons of liquid soap and bleach and 250 pieces of alcoholic based hand sanitizers are expected to be distributed among the mines fourteen host community schools including those at Awudua.

The items would aid in the fighting the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

GFGL Tarkwa Mines in collaboration with one of its development partners, Engineers and Planners (E&P) Company Limited earlier donated hand washing facilities.

Mr Robert Siaw, Sustainable Development Manager, at the ceremony said Gold Fields decided to complement the efforts of the Government and other stakeholders to ensure their wards have a smooth academic year.

"Most of our funds goes into education such as scholarship, construction of school building and many programmes related to education. The main reason is to ensure that the communities in which Gold Fields operates become better off" he explained.

Mr Siaw stated that as the Company continues to play its part to prevent the spread of the disease, the citizenry must also protect themselves from the virus by constantly adhering to the safety protocols.

"COVID-19 had come to stay with us no body know when it's going away, hence its better we adjust ourselves and live with it", the Sustainable Development Manager advised.

The Municipal Education Directorate for Prestea Huni-Valley, Mrs Mary Vida Kwofie who received the items entreated head teachers and teachers of the beneficiary schools to use the facilities from their donors for the intended purpose.

"GES is appealing to other stakeholders to emulate the goodwill of GFGL so that our children would be protected for effective teaching to take place in our schools".

Mr Emmanuel Gado, headmaster of Akoon Anglican Municipal Assembly school on his part, expressed appreciation to the GFGL Tarkwa mines and E&P Company Limited for the support, adding that, "it would at least allay the fears of parents who are still wondering whether their children should attend school or not".

The Municipal Health Promotion Officer for Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency, Mr Evans Whajah, implored Ghanaians to strictly observe the health and safety directives on COVID-19 to help reduce the increasing number of new cases reported daily in the country.