President Mahama Commissions E-Block at Paga SHS, Unveils Plans to End Double Track

By – Sadat Dabo 

President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned the completed E-block at Paga Senior High School as part of the first day of his “Resitting Ghana tour” of the Upper East Region

Addressing traditional leaders, government officials, students and residents, President Mahama said education remains a cornerstone of the Resetting Ghana Agenda, emphasizing that his administration is strengthening, not cancelling, the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy

He dismissed claims made during the 2024 election campaign that a future NDC government would abolish Free SHS, describing them as propaganda

President Mahama said, his administration is to improve learning outcomes through better funding, enhanced feeding, and expanded educational infrastructure

The President noted that his government has resolved major challenges affecting Free SHS, including improving the quality and quantity of food supplied to students and establishing a dedicated funding source for the programme

President Mahama explained that the E-block project was originally conceived to expand access to secondary education by constructing 200 new schools across the country. He said many of the projects were abandoned after the change of government, contributing to overcrowding and the introduction of the double-track system

President Mahama announced that his administration has allocated funds in the 2026 budget to complete 30 abandoned E-block projects, with Paga SHS being among the first completed.

President Mahama revealed that an additional 30 brand-new E-block schools will be constructed under the World Bank-supported STAR-J Project, aimed at eliminating congestion in secondary schools

The President also directed the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to expedite the provision of furniture and equipment for the newly commissioned school

In a major boost for education in the area, President Mahama announced that Paga Senior High School will officially become a full boarding institution from the next academic year in 2027. He said GETFund will construct boys and girls dormitories as well as a dining hall to support the transition

He further surprised the school community by announcing the donation of a brand-new 60-seater bus to facilitate transportation for students and staff

President Mahama urged school authorities to make the institution a centre of academic excellence, expressing the hope that students would achieve a 100 percent pass rate in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)

President Mahama addressed several development concerns raised by the Paga Pio. He assured residents that the government remains committed to completing the Agenda 111 hospital projects, beginning with 35 facilities that have reached at least 70 percent completion, followed by additional projects in subsequent years

He also pledged that the long-awaited Navio Bridge project would soon be awarded on contract, acknowledging persistent advocacy by the area’s Member of Parliament

On water supply challenges in Paga, President Mahama said the government would facilitate collaboration between the Ghana Water Limited and Community Water and Sanitation Agency to improve access to potable water

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu described the commissioning of the E-block as “the democratic dividend” of President Mahama’s return to office, saying the once-abandoned project now provides modern infrastructure for students in Paga

The Minister announced that under the STAR-J programme, government will invest GH¢2.8 billion in expanding secondary education infrastructure nationwide by the end of 2027. Several schools in the Upper East Region, including Paga Senior High School, Bolgatanga central Technical Institute, Gambibgo Community Day SHS, Binduri Community SHS and Garu Community Day SHS, are expected to benefit from the initiative

In his welcome address, the Paga Pio commended President Mahama administration for stabilising the economy, reducing inflation and undertaking major development projects

He appealed for the conversion of Paga SHS into a boarding school, completion of the Agenda 111 hospital, expansion of the Paga border truck park, construction of the Navio Bridge, improved water supply and enhanced security infrastructure in the border community

The commissioning of the Paga SHS E-block marks another milestone in the government efforts to expand educational infrastructure while advancing its broader Resetting Ghana development agenda

Source – gbcuraonline.com