2.14.2007 - 10:34am ET

(CSRwire) TEMA, Ghana--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today the official opening of the Valco-Alcoa Foundation Youth Clinic in Ashaiman, a sub district of the Tema municipality in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The new youth health and recreation center was created through a partnership between Alcoa Foundation, Ghana Health Services and Mercy Ships, a global charity. Participating in the opening ceremonies were representatives from Alcoa, community, and NGOs.

Alcoa Foundation provided $68,000 funding last August to Mercy Ships, who managed the construction project and provided necessary equipment for the center. The new center is staffed and managed by Ghana Health Services, the Ghana government health agency.

“This is an exciting day for the people, particularly the youth, of Ashaiman,” said Jerome Maxwell, President, Alcoa Caribbean and Africa. “With the opening of the Valco-Alcoa Foundation Youth Clinic, the young people of this community will have better access to facilities for recreation, health, education, family planning and many other kinds of support essential to their development.”

“The construction of this multi-purpose building in collaboration with the local community has created an enabling environment for youth, health and development within Ashaiman, Tema. Alcoa Foundation is proud to support this project,” said Meg McDonald, President Alcoa Foundation.

Alcoa’s presence in Ghana is through Volta Aluminum Company (Valco), a joint venture with the government of Ghana. Valco provides aluminum ingot from its smelter in Tema to Alcoa customers around the world.

About Alcoa Foundation

Established in 1952, Alcoa Foundation is a global resource that actively invests in improving the quality of life in the countries around the world where Alcoa operates. The Foundation's grants address global and local needs in Areas of Excellence that include: Conservation and Sustainability, Global Education and Workplace Skills, Business and Community Partnerships and Safe and Healthy Children and Families. Alcoa Foundation manages Alcoa’s ACTION and Bravo! programs which recognize the volunteer efforts of employees with grants to the organizations they serve. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, visit www.alcoa.com, under Community.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 123,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com