Asanko Gold Inc. (“Asanko” or the “Company”) (TSX:AKG) (NYSE American:AKG) is pleased to announce that the Asanko Gold Mine has won the Outstanding Workplace Malaria Control Award, presented by the Private Sector Malaria Prevention Project (“PSMP”) at John Hopkins Center for Communication, as part of the West Africa Regional Malaria Safe awards.
Asanko’s award fell under the Sustainability-Focused Malaria Programing category and had peers such as Exxon Mobil (Nigeria), Access Bank (Nigeria) and Ecobank (Ghana), all of whom received similar awards.
Commenting on the award, Peter Breese, President and CEO, said “We are delighted to win this West Africa Regional Award recognizing our efforts to combat malaria amongst our workforce. I’d like to congratulate all our Malaria Safe Mine Champions for their role in educating colleagues on malaria prevention strategies as we work towards a malaria-free mine.”
The PSMP aims to accelerate private-sector workplace investments in malaria prevention; corporate insecticide-treated net distribution to employees, their families and their communities; and workplace malaria education sessions for employees and community members.
In a bid to reduce the burden of malaria on the mine and its surrounding communities, the Asanko Malaria Control Program was launched in February this year. 40 Asanko Malaria Safe Mine Champions have been trained to drive the malaria campaign in their respective departments and influence malaria safe behaviours among fellow employees. Since its launch, the Asanko Malaria Control Program has conducted mass health education and awareness campaigns on malaria, its signs and symptoms, as well as preventive strategies to avoid the disease, including distribution of mosquito repellents and long lasting insecticide nets, larviciding and 3T patient management to help achieve a significant reduction in malaria.
The PSMP’s Malaria Safe initiative is designed to help companies tackle malaria as a health issue in the workplace, as well as in adjoining communities with the ultimate goal being to build a partnership of active companies that are protecting employees and communities from the disease. It is funded by the UK Department for International Development and implemented by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs with partners such as the National Malaria Control Program of the Ghana Health Service, the Global Business Coalition on Health (GBCHealth).
About Asanko Gold Inc.
Asanko’s vision is to become a mid-tier gold mining company that maximizes value for all its stakeholders. The Company’s flagship project is the multi-million ounce Asanko Gold Mine located in Ghana, West Africa. Asanko is managed by highly skilled and successful technical, operational and financial professionals. The Company is strongly committed to the highest standards for environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighbouring communities.
Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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