By Philip Tengzu
Tampoe, (UW/R), Nov. 07, GNA – Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper West Regional Minister, has commissioned three sub-projects constructed under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project in the Jirapa Municipality to enhance education and healthcare access.
The Projects were a six-unit classroom block and furniture at Tampoe, a maternity ward at Nambeg and a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Kul-ora.
The Minister also commissioned a renovated dining hall at the Ullo Senior High School after it was razed in February 2023.
Speaking at the commissioning of the classroom block at Tampoe, Mr Yakubu reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing the living conditions of Ghanaians, which he said led to initiation of the SOCO project.
He said over 50 SOCO sub-projects had been completed across the region awaiting commissioning by the end of 2024 while over 80 sub-projects would be executed in 2025.
The Minister said the President Akufo-Addo-led government had exhibited commitment to enhancing access to quality education by every Ghanaian child irrespective of his or her geographical location or economic status.
He said provision of educational infrastructure and the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy were some of the initiatives in the education sector to ensure no child in Ghana was left out in education.
Mr Yakubu appealed to the electorates in the Jirapa Constituency to reward the good works of President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government by voting massively for the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He also appealed to the people to elect the NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Hajia Ayisha Salifu, to represent the constituency in parliament in 2025 to bring more development to the constituency.
“For me as a northerner, our future is education. So any government that improves education anywhere should be our friend”, the minister indicated.
Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III, the paramount chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area, thanked the government for the numerous interventions in the traditional area.
He said having a befitting learning structure would heighten the children’s interest in education, increase attendance and improve teaching and learning in the school.
He expressed hope that the traditional area would witness more interventions to uplift the development of the area.
Naa Ganaa mentioned lack of electricity, difficulty in accessing potable water and healthcare services as some challenges in the Tampoe community that needed urgent attention.
Madam Marciana Moo, the Headmistress of the Tampoe M/A Primary School, expressed joy about the new classroom block and said it would significantly enhance teaching and learning in the school.
At Ullo, Naa Baburononi Amadu Hassan III, the Paramount Chief of the Ullo Traditional Area, also thanked President Akufo-Addo for fulfilling his promise of constructing a fence wall for the Ullo SHS as it would enhance the security of learners and the staff at the school.
He, however, appealed to the government to provide a pickup vehicle for the school and to construct the Ul-Gozu dam spillover to make that road accessible during the raining season.
Mr Nicholas Soyiri, the Jirapa Municipal Chief Executive, appealed to the project beneficiaries to observe proper maintenance practices to ensure the facilities lived their expected lifespan.
GNA