President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the previously abandoned E-Block facility at Paga Senior High School (SHS) in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, fulfilling a major campaign promise to the people of the area.

Speaking at a durbar attended by traditional leaders, local authorities and heads of institutions, President Mahama announced plans to upgrade Paga SHS into a fully residential school.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing all abandoned E-Block projects across the country.

Responding to an appeal by the Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga II, the President announced plans for additional infrastructure at the school.

“GETFund will construct three additional facilities for the school: a girls’ dormitory, a boys’ dormitory and a dining hall. In addition, I am presenting a brand-new 60-seater bus to this school,” President Mahama announced to applause from the gathering.

He urged the school authorities and students to make effective use of the improved facilities to enhance academic performance.

President Mahama said the educational component of his administration’s Resetting Ghana Agenda is focused on improving access, infrastructure and learning outcomes across the country.

He said a key objective is to phase out the Double Track system entirely by 2027.

“Today, students in Paga have a beautiful, brand-new school that will significantly improve their learning experience and outcomes,” he said.

“I have tasked GETFund to fast-track the provision of furniture and all necessary equipment. Furthermore, under the STAR-J project, we will build another 30 new E-Blocks from scratch in high-population-density areas,” he added.

Free SHS

Addressing concerns over food shortages in senior high schools, President Mahama said the government had secured dedicated and sustainable funding for the Free SHS programme.

“During the campaign, our opponents claimed that a Mahama government would cancel Free SHS. As you can all see now, that was pure propaganda. We are rather improving Free SHS so that learning outcomes and the quality of education become much better,” he stated.

Health and water infrastructure

Responding to development requests from the Paga community, President Mahama assured residents that health and road infrastructure remained priorities for his administration.

On the stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects, he outlined a phased approach to completing facilities, with priority given to underserved districts.

“This year, we have selected 35 health projects across the country that have reached 70 per cent completion and above, and we have allocated funds to finish them. Next year, we will select another 20 projects that are at 50 per cent completion or higher, with priority given to districts that currently lack major health facilities,” he said.

He also said the government would facilitate collaboration between the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to address water supply challenges in the area.