Bongo: Completed Gurigo mortuary abandoned for six years, families still travel to Bolgatanga

A completed mortuary at Gurigo in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region has remained unused for more than six years, forcing bereaved families in the district to continue travelling to Bolgatanga for mortuary services despite public funds having been invested in the facility.

The facility, which was completed and connected to electricity, has never been equipped or officially handed over for use, according to community leaders and residents.

A visit to the facility by a Bolga FM reporter found the building unattended, with residents expressing concern that the prolonged neglect could lead to deterioration of the facility if urgent action is not taken.

Nasiru Atibire, Assembly Member for the Gurigo Electoral Area, said the mortuary was constructed as part of plans to relocate the Bongo District Hospital to Gurigo.

According to him, disagreements between landowners and the Bongo District Assembly stalled the proposed hospital project, although construction of the mortuary had already been completed.

Mr. Atibire said the land dispute was subsequently resolved through the efforts of a former assembly member, making the land available to the Assembly for development projects.

He believes the failure of the hospital project resulted in authorities losing interest in operationalising the mortuary.

“This is taxpayers’ money that was used to construct the facility. It is now becoming a disadvantage to the district and the people living within the area,” he said.

Mr. Atibire appealed to the Bongo District Assembly, the District Chief Executive and the Member of Parliament to assess the facility, procure the necessary equipment and make it operational.

He also questioned reports that efforts were being made to raise funds for a temporary mortuary in Bongo Central while a completed facility at Gurigo remains unused.

Residents say the continued closure of the facility has placed additional financial and logistical burdens on families who lose relatives.

Matilda Timothy, a resident of Gurigo, said the mortuary had been abandoned for so long that it was constructed before she got married and moved into the community.

She said bereaved families are compelled to travel from Bongo to Bolgatanga to preserve or transport the remains of their loved ones.

Another resident, Dominica Azamboko, said the community welcomed the construction of the facility because residents expected it to provide mortuary services for people across the Bongo District.

She appealed to the Member of Parliament and the Bongo District Chief Executive to take urgent steps to make the facility operational.

Lapaya Nyaaba also expressed disappointment that the facility has provided little or no benefit to residents despite the resources invested in its construction.

Awinbire Asaah said community farmland was used for the project, but residents had yet to receive the expected benefits from making the land available.

The Chief of Gurigo, GUNAA Richard Apika Ayambire, said the mortuary was completed and connected to electricity during a previous administration but had remained unused ever since.

He expressed frustration over what he described as repeated promises by political leaders to operationalise the facility, particularly during election campaigns.

According to the chief, politicians have assured him on several occasions that the mortuary would be put into use after they assumed office, including a promise that the matter would be resolved within five months.

He questioned whether the assurances were merely political promises, noting that residents continue to travel to Bolgatanga whenever they require mortuary services.

Residents are therefore calling on the Bongo District Assembly, the District Chief Executive, the Member of Parliament and other relevant authorities to assess the condition of the facility, undertake any necessary rehabilitation, provide the required equipment and open it for use.

They believe operationalising the Gurigo mortuary would reduce the financial and logistical burden on bereaved families and eliminate the need for residents to travel to Bolgatanga for mortuary services.

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