'You had your priorities wrong' – NPP's Peter Ayinbisa rejects govt's new SHS for Upper East

The Upper East Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Peter Ayinbisa Ayamga, has questioned the government's decision to construct a new Senior High School (SHS) in the Upper East Region, arguing that the region's most pressing educational needs lie in upgrading existing schools rather than building new ones.

His comments come in the wake of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

The review announced a US$300 million World Bank-supported programme that includes the construction of 10 new secondary schools across Ghana, with one earmarked for the Upper East Region. The programme also includes the rehabilitation of over 150 existing schools, upgrades to Category B and C schools, and the provision of furniture to improve learning conditions.

Speaking on Daybreak Upper East on Bolgatanga-based A1 Radio while reacting to the budget statement, Mr. Ayamga maintained that the Upper East Region does not require an additional SHS at this time.

According to him, the government's priority should instead be completing abandoned education infrastructure projects and improving facilities in existing schools.

"The Upper East Region doesn't need another SHS. What we need is infrastructure in the schools we already have," he argued.

Mr. Ayamga specifically pointed to the unfinished Community Day Senior High Schools, popularly known as E-Blocks, initiated under the previous Mahama administration. He said many residents expected the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, now back in office, to complete those abandoned projects before embarking on the construction of new schools.

He also lamented the poor state of infrastructure in several senior high schools across the region, noting that some institutions continue to operate without dining halls and other essential facilities required to support effective teaching and learning.

According to him, investing in the expansion and rehabilitation of existing schools would have a more immediate and meaningful impact than establishing new institutions.

Mr. Ayamga described the government's decision as lacking clear direction, insisting that the resources allocated for new schools would be better spent addressing longstanding infrastructure deficits in existing educational institutions.

The government's education infrastructure programme forms part of broader efforts to improve access to secondary education, eliminate the double-track system, strengthen STEM and TVET education, and expand school capacity in underserved areas. Officials say the initiative is expected to benefit about 2.3 million students, more than 100,000 teachers, and approximately 2,000 school leaders nationwide.