President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the abandoned E-Block facility at Paga Senior High School (SHS) in Kassena Nankana West District, fulfilling a major campaign promise to the people of the Upper East Region.
Speaking at a colourful durbar attended by traditional leaders, local authorities, and heads of institutions, President Mahama announced plans to upgrade Paga SHS into a full boarding facility. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing all abandoned E-Blocks nationwide.
Responding to an appeal by the Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga II, the President revealed immediate plans to expand the school’s infrastructure.
“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 resounding applause.
He urged school authorities and students to make the best use of the improved facilities to raise academic standards.
Under his administration’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, President Mahama explained that the educational goal is to improve access, infrastructure, and learning outcomes nationwide. A key part of these reforms is the target 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,” the President noted.
“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.”
Addressing concerns about food shortages in senior high schools, President Mahama said his administration has secured dedicated, 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.
In response to development requests raised by the Paga Pio, President Mahama assured the community that local health and road infrastructure were high on the government’s agenda.
Addressing the stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects, the President outlined a phased completion strategy prioritising underserved areas: “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 added that the government will push for collaboration between the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to resolve local water supply shortages.
