Two newly built Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in the Kanakulai and Tantuani communities of North East Gonja District, Savannah Region, were commissioned this week, bringing maternal and primary healthcare closer to residents who previously travelled long distances for basic services.
Funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and the Member of Parliament’s Common Fund, the modern facilities are equipped with staff accommodation and motorbikes to support outreach, vaccination campaigns and emergency response.
The accommodation will benefit more than 11 health workers, reducing the need for nurses to commute from Tamale and other towns.
“These CHPS compounds ensure that expectant mothers receive safe and timely delivery services closer to home,” said Alhaji Alhassan Mumuni, Member of Parliament for Salaga North.
He added the projects complement the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme and fulfil campaign promises to the communities.
The MP and the District Chief Executive also commissioned the Fuu Girls Model Junior High School, a new three‑unit classroom block with an office, designed to improve girls’ access to quality junior high education in the area.
Alhaji Mumuni said the school is part of efforts to create a conducive learning environment and boost enrolment for girls in the district.
“These new CHPS compounds, with staff accommodation and motorcycles, will significantly reduce delays in emergency response and expand our outreach and vaccination coverage.
They will help us deliver quality primary healthcare closer to the people who need it most,” said Mr Zakariah Kassim, District Director of Health Services.
District Chief Executive Ewuntomah Abdul‑Mumin emphasised that peace in the district made the projects possible and urged community leaders to resolve outstanding disputes notably at Jantong to sustain development.
“Development can only thrive in a peaceful environment,” he said.
The commissioning was one of 10 development projects handed over across the district. Other works commissioned include:
• an eight‑seater toilet facility at Fuu,
• and a three‑unit classroom block with a four‑seater toilet and urinal at Fushilla.
As part of the ceremony, the MP also distributed farm inputs worth over GH¢24,000 to 120 women across four farming communities — Nyeshila, Gbateni, Dingooni and Yenkazi — under his “Salaga North Women Empowerment” programme.
Each beneficiary received GH¢200 for land preparation, two bags of NPK fertiliser and agrochemicals, enabling them to cultivate at least one acre this season. In total, 240 bags of NPK fertiliser were distributed.
“When you empower a woman, you empower the whole community,” Alhaji Mumuni said, adding the support targets widows and persons with disabilities to boost food production and household incomes.
Community leaders and residents thanked the Assembly and the MP for fulfilling their promises and pledged to maintain the facilities to ensure long‑term sustainability.
By Nadra Mohammed
