Ahafo: The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NaDeF), in collaboration with the World Gold Council, distributed 500 boxes of sanitary pads and hygiene bags to basic school girls in the Ahafo Region. NaDeF, established in 2008, serves as the primary agent of sustainable development in the 10 Ahafo mine communities of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL).
According to Ghana News Agency, the beneficiary communities include Kenyasi Number One, Kenyasi Number Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu, Wamahinso in the Asutifi North District, and Yamfo, Susuanso, Afrisipakrom, Terchire, and Adrobaa in the Tano North Municipality. Girls aged 10 to 15 from 47 basic schools within the Newmont Ahafo South project and Newmont Ahafo North mine received three sanitary pads and a hygiene bag each.
At a distribution ceremony held at the Kwakyekrom District Assembly Basic School in Ntotroso, Mrs. Elizabeth Opoku-Darko, Executive Secretary of NaDeF, emphasized the foundation's dedication to advancing girl-child education. She noted the foundation's efforts to identify and address obstacles hindering girls' access to education in the Newmont areas, asserting that no barriers should prevent girls from obtaining formal education.
Mrs. Opoku-Darko expressed gratitude to the World Gold Council for its support and commended NGGL for its commitment to the development fund, aiming at improving the socio-economic conditions of the mining communities. She also highlighted the foundation's strong partnership with the Ghana Education Service, pledging ongoing collaboration with the Asutifi North District and Tano North Municipal Directorates of Education to enhance the academic environment for students.
Madam Marian Appiah, Vice Chair of the Women and Allies group within NGGL, advised the girls on maintaining hygiene, recommending they wash their hands before and after changing pads and to change them every four to six hours to prevent infections.
Mr. Kofi Badu Yeboah, Headmaster of Kwakyekrom D/A Basic School, expressed appreciation for the initiative, stating that the provision of sanitary pads would help maintain the girls' interest in attending school.
