Story by Yaaba Yamikeh, New Atuabo
As part of its commitment to community health and development, the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has partnered with Telecel Ghana, Unilever Ghana, and the Rotary Club of Tarkwa to organize a comprehensive health screening exercise for residents of New Atuabo and nearby communities in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.
The event, themed “Support, Screen and Survive”, formed part of the Foundation’s fourth-quarter community medical outreach and was held under the banner of “PinkTober”, in line with global breast cancer awareness campaigns during October.
In addition to breast cancer education and screening — the focus of the exercise — residents received a wide range of essential medical services. These included checks for blood pressure, blood sugar, malaria, tuberculosis, cervical cancer, as well as HIV testing. Dental, ear, throat, and eye examinations were also conducted.
Free medications and condoms were distributed, while National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards were renewed or newly registered to ensure continued access to healthcare beyond the event.
Approximately 630 people, including journalists and residents from outside New Atuabo, participated in the screening. Attendees also received souvenirs such as bathing soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes provided by Unilever Ghana to promote personal and oral hygiene.
In an interview with rbnewshub.com, Madam Ayishetu Mohammed, the Project Coordinator, revealed that 60% of the healthcare professionals involved were alumni of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s scholarship programme — a testament to the Foundation’s investment in building local healthcare capacity. The rest of the team came from the Tarkwa Mine Hospital and health directorates in Prestea-Huni Valley and Tarkwa-Nsuaem.
Madam Ayishetu emphasized the importance of focusing on breast cancer, stating that 283 women were screened during the outreach, with 49 referred for further diagnosis and care.
“This initiative demonstrates our unwavering commitment to community well-being, preventive healthcare, and sustainable development,” she noted. She also highlighted that the Foundation has invested over $4.9 million in health and wellness programmes across host communities and will continue to do more to improve quality of life.
Dr. Magdalene Bakari, Lead Specialist for Health Needs at Gold Fields Ghana, pointed out that breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the region and affects both men and women. She noted that although the risk in men is lower — approximately 1 in every 100 cases — awareness is crucial.
She urged women to conduct regular self-examinations and seek prompt medical attention if they notice any unusual changes in their breasts.
This outreach aligns with the Foundation’s broader Group Legacy Programme (GLP), which prioritizes health awareness and access to quality healthcare as key pillars of sustainable community development.
It also reflects Gold Fields’ commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 17, focusing on good health, well-being, and partnerships for development.
