By – Sadat Dabo

The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohion (SOCO) Project has strengthened access to healthcare in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region with the commissioning of two Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds at Pologu and Dubila

The facilities were commissioned on Wednesday November 4, 2026 by the District Chief Executive for Bolgatanga East, Jacob Abugre, alongside the SOCO Zonal Coordinator for the Upper East and North East Regions, Samuel Agyarko Larbi, and the District Director of Health Services, Madam Maria Mahama

The two health facilities, developed through the SOCO Project’s community-driven development approach, are expected to improve access to primary healthcare, particularly for residents of the beneficiary communities and neighbouring areas

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, SOCO Zonal Coordinator Samuel Agyarko Larbi explained that the projects were initiated following requests submitted by the communities through their respective Community Action Plans in 2024

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According to him, the communities, working through the district assembly, identified the need for improved healthcare infrastructure and formally requested support under the SOCO Project

Mr. Agyarko Larbi said the project assessed the proposed interventions and considered them viable, leading to the completion of the facilities to address healthcare accessibility challenges

He stressed that the SOCO Project seeks to empower communities through development interventions that respond directly to their identified needs

“Through the community, or the community through the assembly, this project was requested. The community prepared their action plan through the assembly, and in 2024, we received a community action plan requesting for this sub-project to be completed,” he said

He added that the completion of the CHPS compounds would enable the beneficiary communities to access healthcare services more conveniently, underscoring the project’s commitment to delivering tangible development outcomes at the grassroots

SOCO intervention to improve healthcare delivery

The District Director of Health Services, Madam Maria Mahama, expressed excitement over the completion of the two CHPS compounds, describing the development as a significant boost to healthcare delivery in the district

She explained that prior to the commissioning, the two CHPS zones operated from their respective mother facilities, with health workers required to transport equipment and basic medical tools daily

The newly commissioned compounds, she said, would provide dedicated spaces for service delivery and storage of essential medical equipment

Madam Mahama further disclosed that the facilities include accommodation for health personnel, allowing staff to reside within the communities and provide more timely and comprehensive healthcare services

She commended the Bolgatanga East District Assembly, the SOCO Project team and the communities for their contributions towards the successful completion of the projects

The Health Director appealed to residents to make effective use of the facilities and seek medical attention promptly whenever necessary

She also noted that the locations of Pologu and Dubila, near district boundaries, had previously contributed to residents seeking healthcare services in neighbouring districts

She expressed optimism that the new facilities would help retain patients within Bolgatanga East and improve healthcare access for residents

DCE urges communities to protect the facilities

The Bolgatanga East District Chief Executive, Jacob Abugre, expressed satisfaction with the completion of the CHPS compounds, recalling his involvement in discussions on healthcare infrastructure needs in the communities during his time as an assembly member

Mr. Abugre urged residents to take ownership of the facilities and ensure they are put to good use

He emphasized that the provision of infrastructure alone would not guarantee improved healthcare delivery without the commitment of community members and the availability of health workers

The DCE also highlighted the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative, noting that the newly commissioned CHPS compounds would complement efforts to address basic healthcare challenges at the community level

He said the facilities would help improve access to essential services and reduce the need for residents to travel long distances for basic medical care

SOCO’s community-driven development model

The commissioning of the Pologu and Dubila CHPS compounds highlights the role of the SOCO Project in supporting community-identified development priorities across Ghana’s northern regions

By responding to requests captured in Community Action Plans, the project seeks to address local development challenges through infrastructure and interventions that directly benefit vulnerable communities

The new facilities are expected to contribute to improved primary healthcare delivery, enhanced community wellbeing and strengthened access to essential health services in Bolgatanga East

The commissioning marks another milestone in the SOCO Project’s efforts to promote inclusive development and social cohesion through community participation and improved access to basic social services

Source – gbcuraonline.com