President Mahama Announces Construction of 30 New E-Blocks to Boost Secondary Education
During a stop in the Paga Constituency of the Upper East Region as part of his Resetting Agenda programme, President John Dramani Mahama unveiled a bold new plan to expand access to secondary education across Ghana. Addressing a gathering of community leaders and residents, President Mahama announced his government’s commitment to construct 30 brand new E-blocks, modern secondary school facilities, across the country. “We’re going to build another 30 new E-blocks from scratch,” President Mahama declared. “While we work to complete the previously abandoned projects, these 30 new schools will be entirely new additions.” He explained that many of the new E-blocks will be located in high population density areas, particularly in major cities, so that they serve as community-based schools. “This means children will be able to walk from home to secondary school,” he said, emphasizing the convenience and accessibility the new schools would offer urban families. President Mahama also noted that, while many E-blocks started during his previous term were situated in rural districts, the latest phase would focus on addressing the growing needs of urban communities. The initiative is expected to significantly boost enrollment and ease congestion at existing schools, offering more students the opportunity to pursue quality secondary education within their own neighborhoods. However, President Mahama commissioned the newly completed E-block in Paga Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Paga Pio Appeals to President Mahama for Key Infrastructure and Security Upgrades- Says They Are living in Fear
During President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Agenda visit to the Paga Constituency, the Paga Pio seized the opportunity to present a series of heartfelt appeals aimed at addressing pressing needs in the area. At the top of the list was the completion of the Agenda 111 district hospital project, which the Paga Pio described as “dear to our hearts.” He passionately urged both the President and the Minister of Health to prioritize the hospital’s completion for the benefit of Paga and the surrounding communities. Turning his attention to transport and safety, the Paga Pio highlighted the challenges posed by the limited space at the Custom Park on the Paga border. The current facility struggles to accommodate the heavy trucks, many carrying petroleum products or explosives bound for Burkina Faso and Mali, that cross the border daily. To temporarily ease congestion, he revealed that some trucks had been diverted to nearby filling stations during the President’s visit. However, he called for a permanent solution: expanding the Custom Park, ideally doubling its size, to better handle the influx and keep the highway clear for local commuters. The Paga Pio also appealed for the construction of a critical bridge linking major towns in the district, noting that the absence of a bridge has, for over five years, made travel impossible during the rainy season. Further, he requested that the Burkina Faso township be connected to the Ghana Water Company Limited network to ensure a constant and reliable water supply, as is enjoyed by other towns. Recognizing rising security concerns in the border region, the Paga Pio called for an increased presence of security agencies, including police, army, and customs officers, and the establishment of more offices and facilities to support them. He emphasized the importance of these measures in light of the volatility in neighboring countries and the risks associated with cross-border activities. The Paga Pio’s appeals reflect the community’s urgent needs for infrastructure, water, and security, and he expressed hope that President Mahama’s ongoing Resetting Agenda would bring meaningful change to the region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Upper East Region Schools to Receive Major Upgrades Under STAR-J Programme
Excitement is building across the Upper East Region as Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced a sweeping package of improvements for local secondary schools under the government’s STAR-J infrastructure programme. The initiative, worth 2.8 billion Ghana cedis, is set to transform the educational landscape of the region between now and December 2027. The announcement came in Paga during President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Agenda tour, coinciding with the commissioning of a new E-Block facility, a symbol of the government’s ongoing investment in education. Among the schools selected for major upgrades are Bolgatanga Central Technical Institute, Gambibgo Community Day Senior High School, Binduri Community SHS, and Garu Community Day SHS. These schools will benefit from new facilities and upgraded science laboratories, giving students better learning environments and expanded academic opportunities. Minister Iddrisu also emphasized the importance of inclusive infrastructure, making a special appeal for the construction of boarding facilities at Paga Senior High School. He stressed that ensuring adequate accommodation for both boys and girls is crucial to making sure no student is left behind in the region’s educational progress. The STAR-J programme is poised to usher in a new era for secondary education in the Upper East, providing the resources and infrastructure needed to accommodate growing enrollments and meet the demands of modern academic standards. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Education Minister Unveils Major Infrastructure Boost During Presidential Visit
It was a day of optimism and anticipation in Paga as the Education Minister, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, delivered news set to transform the educational landscape of the Upper East Region during President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Agenda tour. Standing before an eager crowd, Minister Iddrisu framed the President’s return as a “democratic dividend,” bringing long-awaited benefits to the people. He pointed to the commissioning of the previously abandoned e-block as a symbol of renewed commitment to educational access. “To deny these young people their required infrastructure is to deny them opportunity,” he said, noting the dramatic increase in secondary school enrollments, from 1,800 students to as many as 4,000 in some schools, since 2018. In a landmark announcement, the Minister revealed that, starting next academic year in September, Berger Senior High School would be upgraded to a fully-fledged institution, equipped to serve both local and national needs. This transformation, he explained, is part of President Mahama’s broader STAR-J program, a comprehensive, well-funded initiative aimed at expanding access to secondary education nationwide. Between now and December 2027, the STAR-J program will inject 2.8 billion Ghana cedis into secondary school infrastructure. Schools across the Upper East Region, including Bolgatanga Central Technical Institute, Gambibgo Community Day SHS, Binduri Community SHS, and Garu Community Day SHS, are set to benefit, either through new facilities or upgraded science laboratories. Iddrisu also appealed for the construction of boarding facilities for boys and girls at Paga Senior High School, ensuring no student is left behind. The Minister highlighted President Mahama’s track record of building strong institutions, referencing the establishment of the Scholarship Authority, which will now work alongside the GETFund to administer scholarships with greater transparency and accountability. Medical education was also in focus, with plans to expand university access and demystify the path to becoming a doctor. On the perennial issue of student feeding, Iddrisu assured the gathering that uncapped GETFund resources would ensure seamless food supply, eliminating disruptions to the academic calendar and ending the practice of using classrooms as storage spaces. Looking ahead, the Minister confirmed that President Mahama had directed his economic team to finalize the funding modalities for a new GETFund, with a bill to be presented before Parliament in January 2027. “President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership is about building viable institutions and responding to the real needs of Ghana’s youth,” Iddrisu concluded. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen