President John Dramani Mahama has renewed his government’s commitment to completing abandoned projects after inspecting a science laboratory at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Navrongo and inaugurating an unfinished E-Block at Paga Senior High School.

The inspections took place on the first day of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region.

At UTAS, Vice-Chancellor Professor Albert Luguterah led the President around an ultra-modern, multi-complex science laboratory whose construction began in 2016.

President Mahama criticised the eight-year delay under the previous New Patriotic Party administration, describing it as a waste of public funds already invested in the facility.

He said the project had been included in the government’s inventory of abandoned projects and that funding had been provided for construction to resume.

“Once we returned to office, based on our policy of completing abandoned projects, this project was included in the inventory. We have provided funding for the work to resume, and I am happy to see the project progressing again,” he said.

The President expressed confidence that the facility would be fully operational by next year, providing improved space for science teaching, learning and research.

Responding to requests from the university, he directed the Minister for Roads and Highways to prioritise the tarring of five kilometres of internal campus roads.

He also assured UTAS of government support to establish a medical school, saying Ghana needed to train more doctors to meet domestic demand and support other countries where possible.

Paga SHS to receive new facilities

President Mahama later inaugurated the abandoned E-Block at Paga Senior High School in the Kassena Nankana West District.

At a durbar attended by traditional leaders, local authorities and institutional heads, he announced plans to convert the school into a full boarding institution and reaffirmed his commitment to completing abandoned E-Block projects nationwide.

In response to a request from the Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga II, the President said the Ghana Education Trust Fund would provide three additional facilities.

These will include a girls’ dormitory, a boys’ dormitory and a dining hall. He also presented the school with a new 60-seater bus.

Mr Mahama urged school authorities and students to use the improved facilities responsibly and work towards raising academic performance.

He said the government’s Resetting Ghana Agenda aims to expand access to education, improve infrastructure and raise learning outcomes. A key target, he added, is to phase out the double-track system by 2027.

By Blessed EDUAMOAH DADZIE