Tamale Assembly hands over new schools, CHPS compound to boost education and healthcare

The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA) has handed over newly constructed educational and healthcare facilities to the relevant sector authorities as part of efforts to improve access to quality social services across the metropolis.

The projects, located in Dalogyili, Gumbihini and Kudula, are aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps and bringing basic education and primary healthcare services closer to residents in underserved communities.

The projects were funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and include a three-unit classroom block at Dalogyili at a cost of GH¢902,501.60, a six-unit classroom block at Gumbihini costing GH¢1,796,174.00, and a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Kudula constructed at GH¢1,397,684.61.

The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Prof. Alidu Seidu, commended the Assembly for its commitment to infrastructure development and improving the welfare of residents.

He reaffirmed his commitment to working with the Assembly and the private sector to promote development in the constituency and the wider region, particularly efforts aimed at reducing poverty.

The Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro, said the completion of the projects demonstrated the Assembly’s priority on infrastructure development that directly benefits residents.

He noted that communities such as Kudula, Gumbihini and Dalogyili had for years faced challenges in accessing quality education and healthcare, resulting in residents travelling long distances to access basic services.

According to him, the Assembly therefore decided to channel part of the DACF into the provision of the facilities to ease the difficulties faced by residents.

“These facilities are strategically designed to expand access to primary educational healthcare at the respective underserved communities, bringing medical and educational services closer to the doorstep of residents,” he said.

He said the projects formed part of President John Dramani Mahama’s “Resetting Agenda”, which places emphasis on direct engagement with citizens and the provision of infrastructure to meet their basic needs.

Mr Takoro also disclosed that the Assembly had distributed more than 2,600 pieces of school furniture to address severe seating shortages in basic schools. The furniture comprised 1,170 dual desks and 1,450 mono desks.

The Metro Director of Education, Mr Nelson Konlan, expressed appreciation to the Assembly and government for investing in educational infrastructure across the metropolis.

He said the projects would improve the learning environment and reduce the burden on residents in communities that had struggled to access adequate educational facilities.

He urged managers of the facilities to ensure proper maintenance and prudent use of the infrastructure to protect the investment and ensure that it serves its intended purpose.

The Metro Director of Health Services, Dr Seidu Barikisu, also expressed gratitude to the Assembly for investing in healthcare infrastructure for residents of Kudula and surrounding communities.

“This facility is more than a building that brings healthcare closer to the people. It will support maternal and child health services, immunization, health education, disease prevention and early detection of illness,” she said.

Dr Barikisu disclosed that the Tamale Metropolis currently has 63 CHPS zones but only 18 CHPS compounds, creating a significant infrastructure gap.

She therefore appealed to the Metropolitan Assembly and development partners to support the construction of additional CHPS compounds, particularly in underserved communities.

“CHPS is not only about waiting for patients to come to the facility. Our health workers must go into the communities to conduct outreach, follow up pregnant women and children, undertake health education, surveillance and other essential services,” she said.

She assured residents that the facility would be properly utilised to provide quality, compassionate and professional healthcare.

Dr Barikisu also appealed for additional logistics and resources to support effective healthcare delivery.

“Let us continue this partnership until every community in the Metropolis has access to the primary healthcare infrastructure it deserves,” she said.

The Chief of Kudula, Yakubu Darmani, commended the Assembly for providing the infrastructure and assured the authorities of the traditional leadership’s support for development initiatives aimed at improving living conditions and promoting economic growth.

Residents in Kudula, Dohinayili and Dalogyili expressed optimism that the new facilities would significantly improve access to education and primary healthcare, reducing the difficulties they previously faced in accessing essential services.