Africa-Press – Ghana. The Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly has begun work on some development projects across various communities, aimed at improving education, water access and maternal health in the district.
The projects, valued at GH₵3,589,504.23 and funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), include a maternity block, solar-powered mechanised boreholes in selected senior high schools, and a classroom block.
Mr Stephen Aeke Akurugu, the District Chief Executive for the area, and Mr Nikyema Billa Alamzy, the Member of Parliament for the Chiana-Paga Constituency, jointly cut sod for the commencement of the projects.
All the projects, which have been awarded to different contractors, are expected to be completed and handed over to the Assembly within six months.
At the Paga Bonia community, the Assembly cut sod for the construction of a three-unit classroom block for the Bonia Primary School, valued at more than GH₵1.39 million, to help improve access to a decent learning environment and enhance quality education.
The facility, to be executed by Albak Legacy Enterprise, will also include a headteacher’s office, a store, storage spaces in each classroom, changing rooms to improve menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls, and full electrical installations.
Additionally, in a move to ease persistent water shortages at the Paga Senior High School, the Assembly cut sod for the construction of a solar-powered mechanised borehole fitted with a 1,000-litre overhead polytank.
The project, to be constructed by Welcom Plus Limited, is expected to provide a reliable water supply across various points in the school, improve sanitation and increase contact hours, ending the phenomenon of students trekking long distances in search of water.
According to the DCE, similar water projects will be constructed at the Sirigu Integrated Senior High School, Chiana Senior High School and Zenga Senior High School, targeting a combined student population of about 2,000. The four solar-powered mechanised borehole projects will cost approximately GH₵1,260,508.20.
In a further move to strengthen healthcare delivery within the Mirigu community and its environs, the Assembly also cut sod for the construction of a maternity facility at the Mirigu Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound. The project seeks to enhance maternal healthcare delivery in the area.
The facility will include a delivery room, a resting room for mothers after delivery, a waiting area, an office, water-closet toilet facilities, accommodation for the midwife and a kitchen.
Upon completion, the project, assigned to Awalna Engineering Service Limited at a cost of GH₵936,750.89, will be furnished with delivery beds, lying-in beds, tables, chairs and other essential equipment to facilitate quality healthcare and improve maternal outcomes.
Speaking at the various sod-cutting ceremonies, Mr Akurugu reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the development needs of the people as a way of rewarding them for the confidence reposed in the administration during the 2024 general elections.
“We may not be able to start every project you requested during the campaign at once, but we are committed to gradually resolving all of them and bringing relief to the people,” he said.
The MP also called on leaders and residents of the beneficiary communities to support the contractors to deliver the projects within schedule to bring lasting relief to the people.
Speaking on behalf of Naba Anthony Anonsona Aatsige Abisa III, the Paramount Chief of the Mirigu Traditional Area, Mr Roland Anyedina, the Chief’s Spokesperson, thanked the government for the maternity block, describing it as “a big relief and a step towards ending the shame of the community.”
According to Mr Francis Adipare, a District Public Health Nurse, Kassena-Nankana West Health Directorate, the facility records not less than 100 deliveries every year despite the lack of a maternity ward, forcing some community members to walk long distances to other health facilities due to space limitations at the Mirigu CHPS compound.
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