Recognised for extending workplace programmes to contractors and communities
The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) has voted Newmont Ghana as a leading company in the fight against HIV/AIDS and Malaria prevention. The worldwide coalition of 200 corporate organizations including the United Nations (UN) and its affiliates such as the World Health Organization (WHO), voted Newmont Ghana’s Work Place HIV/AIDS and Malaria programmes as the best in the Workplace HIV/AIDS and Malaria category.
Newmont Ghana’s Workplace Programme for HIV/AIDS and Malaria was recognized for its key initiatives in disease prevention and control which extends beyond the company’s operations to include contractors, suppliers and local communities. By using a peer education approach to empower individuals both at work and in its wider stakeholder group, Newmont Ghana has been able to effectively widen the net for voluntary counseling and testing on HIV/AIDS. In partnership with Ghana Health Service, the company has also broadened the scope of education and prevention of malaria control through its treated bed net distribution programme in its local communities and the workplace.
In a statement released by the Global Business Coalition to honour Newmont Ghana’s success, as this year’s Workplace Category winner, Newmont Ghana’s Programmes were described as ‘Outstanding’. It also highlighted successful results and said, “The impact has been deep. For example, before the start of the malaria Programme in 2006, about 8% of employees suffered from malaria each year. In 2009, that number dropped to 1.8%. The GBC’s President John Tedstrom noted that ”Newmont doesn’t just reach its workers. It also covers families and contractors - a demonstration of the company’s commitment to being a force for good beyond the factory gates. Its impact is substantial on both HIV and malaria. Our fight against global disease is far from over. We need more companies to follow Newmont’s tremendous example”.
Newmont Ghana’s workplace HIV/AIDS and Malaria Programmes began in 2005 and 2007 respectively, to empower individual workers, contractors of the company, their families and communities to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and malaria, and to mitigate the impact of these diseases.
The Malaria Workplace Programme involves a proactive effort in disease control through initiatives such as indoor residual spraying, distribution of long lasting bed nets, to a work force of over 5000 as well as communities around the Ahafo mine operations. This is also backed by an educational campaign on prevention and treatment.
The HIV/AIDS Programme, includes Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services which consist of a wellbeing test for blood pressure and blood sugar. This has led to a steady increase of tests from 172 in 2007 to 440 in 2009. Condoms are distributed free to employees and contractors and the company annually distributes an average of 72,000 condoms. The Peer Educator initiative which has trained about 100 peer educators – selected from among employees of Newmont and its contractors – delivers education on malaria and HIV/AIDS to over 10,000 people each year.
“We are happy our Programme is owned by our empowered employee network of Peer Educators. This encourages us to do more to fight HIV/AIDS and Malaria, as well other diseases that threaten the wellbeing of our people. Our workplace HIV/AIDS and Malaria Programme reflects Newmont’s vision to promote positive change.”, Maud Ofori-Nyaney, Newmont Ghana’s Community/Workplace Health Coordinator, said in recognition of the GBC award.
The Programmes, which have cost over eight hundred and fifty thousand US dollars ($850,000) since their inception, are executed in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, International Finance Corporation Against AIDS and the International Labor Organization (ILO). Other partners are International SOS, USAID, Verstagard Fransen, Ghana Sustainable Change Project of the Academy for Education Development, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), the Asutifi District Assembly and the Ghana Business Coalition of AIDS (GBCA).
Newmont Ghana appreciates all its partners for their efforts at ensuring that all employees and host community members are healthy.
About Newmont Ghana
Newmont Ghana operates one of five core operating districts for Newmont Mining Corporation (www.newmont.com), one of the largest gold companies in the world. Newmont Ghana operates the Ahafo Mine in the Brong-Ahafo Region and also has a development project, the Akyem Project in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region. The company employs approximately 4,900 employees and contractors, with the majority working at its Ahafo Mine. Newmont is the only gold company listed in the S&P 500 index and in 2007 became the first gold company selected to be part of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Newmont was recently ranked 16th on Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens List. Newmont’s industry leading performance is reflected through Newmont Ghana’s high standards in environmental management, health and safety for its employees and creating value and opportunity for its host communities and Newmont’s shareholders.
More information can be found in Newmont's annual sustainability report, www.BeyondTheMine.com. The report is published as part of Newmont’s ongoing obligations as a founding member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (www.icmm.com) and in accordance with its commitments under the United Nations' Global Compact (www.unglobalcompact.org) and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (www.voluntaryprinciples.org).
Media Contact: Adiki O. Ayitevie
Regional Manager, Communications
024 4330870
adiki.ayitevie@newmont.com