Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has cut the sod for what he described as the largest educational intervention in the history of the constituency, marking the start of fifteen major education projects valued at GHS107 million.
The initiative is expected to significantly transform secondary and basic education infrastructure across North Tongu and improve access, quality, and learning outcomes for thousands of students.
Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony, Mr Ablakwa said the scale of the investment reflected a deliberate effort to place education at the centre of development in the constituency.
According to him, the projects go beyond physical structures and are designed to empower young people with the environment and opportunities they need to succeed. He described the intervention as a major step toward securing a better future for the next generation of learners in the area.
A central component of the initiative is the upgrade of all five senior high schools in the constituency. Mepe St Kizito Senior High School, Battor Senior High School, Aveyime Battor Secondary Technical School, Dorfor Senior High School, and Volo Senior High School are each set to benefit from large scale infrastructure expansion.
The schools will receive modern dining hall complexes with a combined capacity of about 2,500 students, alongside new dormitory facilities for boys and girls where required. At Volo Senior High School, the project includes a second phase of work on the existing E Block, which will be converted into a fully fledged boarding facility.
This upgrade is expected to ease congestion, reduce pressure on existing facilities, and expand access for students from surrounding communities who previously struggled to secure accommodation. Hon. Ablakwa noted that the boarding conversion would help position the school to attract more students and improve academic outcomes.
Focus on Basic Education
Beyond senior high schools, the intervention also places strong emphasis on basic education. New basic school facilities are to be constructed across all traditional areas within North Tongu, with particular focus on Mepe. Several schools in the area were damaged or destroyed during the Akosombo Dam spillage, disrupting teaching and learning for many children.
The new construction, according to the Minister, is intended to restore dignity to basic education and ensure that no child is left behind because of circumstances beyond their control. Hon. Ablakwa announced that construction work would begin immediately, following the successful completion of competitive procurement processes.
He said the readiness to move straight to construction demonstrated the government’s commitment to timely delivery and value for money. He assured residents that strict supervision would be applied to guarantee quality work and adherence to project timelines.
Expressing gratitude, the North Tongu legislator acknowledged the role played by President John Dramani Mahama in supporting the initiative. He also thanked the Minister of Education and the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund for their collaboration and commitment to expanding educational infrastructure.
Investing in Human Capital as the Foundation for Sustainable Development
According to him, the project reflects the broader national vision of investing in human capital as the foundation for sustainable development. “We are not just constructing buildings, we are empowering the next generation to take our country to the promised land,” Hon. Ablakwa stated, emphasising that education remains the most reliable tool for social mobility and national progress.
He said the facilities would create a more conducive learning environment, inspire students to aim higher, and support teachers in delivering quality instruction. The Minister also commended the Volta Regional Minister and traditional authorities in North Tongu for their presence and continued dedication to community development.
He noted that the cooperation between political leadership and traditional institutions had been instrumental in advancing development projects in the constituency. Their support, he said, reinforced the collective responsibility to protect education as a shared priority.
Residents and education stakeholders at the event welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and transformative. Many expressed optimism that the expanded facilities would reduce overcrowding, improve student welfare, and attract qualified teachers to the schools.
Hon. Ablakwa concluded by reaffirming his personal commitment to the people of North Tongu, stating that he would continue to under promise and over deliver in his service to the constituency. He said the education projects formed part of a broader development agenda aimed at improving livelihoods, strengthening institutions, and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
As construction begins, expectations are high that the GHS107 million investment will mark a turning point in the educational landscape of North Tongu, setting a benchmark for constituency level interventions and reinforcing the role of education as a driver of inclusive development.
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