ADM Cocoa Ghana Limited (a cocoa processing company located in Kaase-Kumasi), in collaboration with GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), a German sustainable development organization, has developed a community health outreach program that benefits 67 communities in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

The health outreach program looks to improve access to prevention, treatment and care regarding tuberculosis, malaria, STDs and other preventable diseases, for cocoa growing communities in the Ashanti region.

Initiated in June 2012, the ongoing program has thus far received $55,000 from ADM Cocoa Ghana to ensure community outreach, health promotion, preventive education and clinical services in cocoa growing communities.

Among the beneficiaries of the outreach are the communities of Shewu Besease, Effiduase, Mim, Kaase, Atwima Ahodwo, Kentinkyiren, Konkoli, New Adwampong, Aduabin, Osei Kokookrom, Denyasefokrom, Omanadwareye, Dominase and Senfi.

Ranging from the Ejuisu-Juaben, Atwima to the Atwima Nwabiagya districts of the Ashanti region, a total of 13,745 individuals, including cocoa farmers and their families and others in the cocoa-growing communities, have been reached.

Participants of the program receive medical screenings, which include body mass index (BMI), sugar level and blood pressure checks, as well as the distribution and demonstration of the proper use of condoms. Pregnant women, along with children below the age of two years, are given mosquito nets, vitamins and deworming medication.

The goal of the program is to reach 10,000 additional individuals by the end of December 2013.