North East Regional Minister Unveils Mahama Government’s Development Blitz – 83 Schools, 12 CHPS Compounds, 7 Markets, Roads Everywhere

By – Sadat Dabo 

North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has mounted a strong defence of the government’s development record in the region, listing dozens of ongoing education, health, road and economic infrastructure projects since the administration assumed office in 2025

Speaking in an interview with Sadat Dabo of gbcuraonline.com the Minister said the government’s approach was based on “need-based development”, insisting that projects were not being distributed based on political considerations but on identified needs presented by sector agencies and communities

83 school projects underway

Mr. Tia disclosed that more than 83 primary school infrastructure projects had either been completed, inherited and completed, or initiated between January 2025 and June 2026

He said significant investments were also being made at the secondary level, citing projects at Yunyoo, Sakogu, Nalerigu, Langbinsi, Walewale, Nasuan, Chereponi, Bunkurugu and Nakpanduri, among others

According to him, the projects include dormitories, dining halls, administrative blocks, classrooms and fencing

At the Gambaga College of Education, the Minister said about eight major structures were being developed simultaneously

He further announced another phase of secondary-school projects, including an administrative block for Bunkurugu Senior High School, a dining hall for Nakpanduri Senior High School, a dormitory for Nasuan Senior High School, an administrative block for Chereponi Senior High School, and a six-unit classroom block for Gbintiri Senior High School

12 CHPS compounds to boost healthcare

Mr. Tia said each of the six district assemblies in the region was putting up two CHPS compounds, bringing the total to approximately 12 facilities

He stressed that the projects were being located based on population and healthcare needs identified by the Ghana Health Service

The Minister also said the government was equipping the facilities and supporting the necessary processes to enable them to begin operations once qualified personnel were available

He linked the development to the government’s Reset Agenda, including the Free Primary Healthcare initiative and the proposed Mahama Care programme

North East to get regional hospital

One of the major announcements from the interview was that the North East Region is among regions expected to benefit from the government’s planned regional hospital projects

Mr. Tia said land had already been secured for the project and that feasibility studies and designs were underway

He said the development formed part of President John Mahama’s plan to provide regional hospitals in phases

Seven 24-hour economy markets

The Minister also disclosed that seven 24-hour economy market projects had been awarded in the region, with contractors working at various sites

He identified locations including Sakogu, Nasuan, Chereponi, Langbinsi, Yagaba and Walewale, while acknowledging that some contractors had fallen behind schedule

According to him, contractors at Sakogu, Nasuan, Chereponi and Langbinsi were making progress, while resources had been mobilised to sites at Walewale and Yagaba

Road projects : “A lot is going on”

On roads, Mr. Tia painted an extensive picture of ongoing construction and rehabilitation across the region

He cited works on routes linking Yagaba, Lichai, Walewale, Nasia, Buakudoo, Boamaasa, Kparugu, Mimima, Nalerigu, Nakpanduri, Bunkurugu, Nanjong and Chereponi, among others

He also highlighted the Big Bush Road, a 44-kilometre project, saying the contractor had completed between 35 and 40 per cent of the work

The Minister said the contractor, Mawums Construction Limited had also undertaken corporate social responsibility initiatives, including the construction of a police station for Gbintiri and plans for about three kilometres of internal roads in the township

Misio Bridge delayed by Bagre Dam spillage

Mr. Tia also addressed delays affecting the Misio Bridge, attributing the disruption to water released following the spillage of the Bagre Dam

He said contractors had temporarily moved away from the site to allow water to flow safely but were expected to return when conditions improved

According to him, only about five metres remained to connect the bridge, with completion expected around October or November, depending on the water level

He argued that completion of the bridge would significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity between the North East and the Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and Northern regions

Gbintiri–Chereponi road awaits final processes

The Minister further disclosed that the Gbintiri –Cherponi road, estimated at about 36 kilometres, had undergone feasibility studies, with administrative processes ongoing

He expressed optimism that once the remaining documentation and approvals were completed, construction could commence

We are not doing projects anyhow

Defending the government’s development strategy, Mr. Tia repeatedly emphasised that the projects were being selected through consultation with sector directors and communities

“We are doing need-based development. We are not just doing it haphazardly.”

He said the Regional Coordinating Council regularly engages education and health authorities to determine priority areas before projects are initiated

But with several projects still under construction, questions are likely to centre on completion timelines, funding, quality of work and whether the projects will translate into measurable improvements in education, healthcare, transportation and economic activity across the region

For the North East Regional the Minister, long list of projects presents an ambitious development picture

Source – gbcuraonline.com