The Kassena Nankana West District Assembly in the Upper East Region has inaugurated four educational infrastructure projects for four beneficiary communities to improve teaching and learning.
The projects, which started in 2024 and were completed in 2026, were funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project.
The projects
At Nakolo, the assembly inaugurated a three-unit classroom block with an office and store, as well as a 12-unit toilet facility with a mechanised borehole, funded by GETFund.
One of the classroom blocks
Similarly, the Nyonga and Katiu communities each received six-unit classroom blocks with office and store facilities, alongside 12-unit toilet facilities and mechanised boreholes, also funded by GETFund.
At Yidania, a two-unit kindergarten (KG) block with playground installation and a hand pump borehole funded by the SOCO Project was handed over to the community.
Commitment
At the inauguration, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Stephen Aeke Akurugo, said the projects formed part of efforts to upgrade educational infrastructure across the district.
He noted that the conditions under which many people received their education in the past were far inferior to current standards, stressing the need for continuous improvement.
“Some of us did not have such an environment during our school days in the 80s and 90s, but we have moved beyond that era.
There must be an upgrade in educational infrastructure, and students must see the need to aspire for higher education,” he said.
Mr Akurugo disclosed that although the Nakolo project faced delays, persistent follow-ups by the assembly and community stakeholders ensured its completion.
Maintenance culture
The DCE urged the beneficiary communities to take ownership of the facilities and ensure proper maintenance.
“This is your property. Whatever is here belongs to the community. You need to protect it and ensure it serves future generations,” he emphasised.
He cautioned against the misuse or theft of school property, stressing that such acts would undermine development efforts.
Mr Akurugo also acknowledged some outstanding challenges, including lack of furniture, inadequate staffing and poor access roads to some of the schools.
He gave an assurance that the assembly was in the process of procuring furniture using a portion of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and would work with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to address staffing gaps.
“The assembly is in the process of procuring furniture, which has emerged as a major concern, and once it is supplied, all these schools will benefit,” he added.
More projects in the pipeline
Mr Akurugo revealed that out of the four GETFund projects initiated in the district, three had been completed, with the remaining one nearing completion.
He also indicated that the assembly was pushing for boarding status for selected senior high schools in the district, including Paga, Nabango and Mirigu
SHSs, to attract additional infrastructure such as dormitories and dining halls.
Appreciation and concerns
The School Improvement and Support Officer at the District Education Directorate, Amamata Alhassan, described the projects as a demonstration of collective commitment to improving education.
She said the new infrastructure would provide pupils with a safe, comfortable and modern environment to support learning and innovation.
“This is not just about opening new buildings; it reflects our shared dedication to the future of our children,” she said.
The Chief of Nakolo, Pe Gideon Awolugu, expressed appreciation to the assembly for completing the project and called for the provision of a watchman to safeguard the facility.
He cautioned against renting out school buildings for social or religious activities, noting that such practices often led to the destruction of school property.
He further appealed for the dredging of the Savio-Kasili dam to support year-round farming in the area.
At Nyonga, the Chief, Naba Anthony Akurugo II, said he was initially sceptical about the project but was pleased to see its successful completion.
He commended the assembly and stakeholders for their commitment but raised concerns about the lack of a health facility in the community.
He appealed for the conversion of an old school block into a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound or the completion of an ongoing CHPS project initiated by the community to cater for the health needs of the people.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh