The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has invested portions of its District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) in building and upgrading basic education and healthcare infrastructure. This initiative aims to improve access to quality social services in deprived communities. The projects are at various stages of completion, including kindergarten (KG) blocks, a Junior High School (JHS) block, and Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds.
These investments directly address critical infrastructure gaps, especially in rural areas where residents often lack access to essential services. The Assembly's focus on education and health is crucial for the long-term development of the municipality. It ensures that children can attend school closer to home and families can access medical care without long journeys.
This strategic use of the DACF aligns with Ghana's broader decentralisation policy, which empowers local assemblies to drive development at the grassroots level. The DACF, a percentage of national revenue, is allocated to district assemblies for local development projects. Such investments are vital for achieving national development goals, including improved literacy rates and better public health outcomes across the country.
Mr. Roland Atanga Ayoo, the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), confirmed these developments during an inspection of ongoing projects. He stated that the Assembly is constructing two KG blocks with urinals at Yorogo-Gabisi and Dorongo-Aperiga. A modern three-unit classroom block at Kulgo-Aguusi is also nearing completion. This facility includes an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) room, a library, and a staff common room.
Mr. Ayoo also noted that the KG blocks at Gabisi and Aperiga, along with the Kulgo-Aguusi JHS projects, are completed. They will soon be handed over to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for use. The provision of these educational facilities in rural communities will allow more children, especially at the kindergarten level, to access formal education. This proximity reduces the burden on young children and their families.
In healthcare, several CHPS compounds have been completed or are nearing completion. These will soon be handed over to the Ghana Health Service (GHS). The MCE emphasised the importance of these health facilities. Many communities in the Municipality are far from the main town, making healthcare access difficult. These new facilities will bring essential medical services closer to the people.
The Assembly is also undertaking renovation works and other development projects to improve living conditions. These efforts promote socio-economic development within the Municipality. Mr. Ayoo expressed concern about delays in the construction of the Sawaba CHPS compound. The Assembly's engineer has issued a warning letter to the contractor to explain the reasons for the delay. The contractor had started the project ahead of others but subsequently fell behind schedule.
The MCE urged residents to take ownership of these projects and protect public infrastructure. This ensures that the investments serve their intended purposes for many years. The Assembly’s development interventions complement national efforts to improve education and healthcare delivery. They also promote overall development in the Bolgatanga Municipality, contributing to a better quality of life for its citizens.