Residents of Gbanyamni and Kuula in the Sagnarigu Municipality can now access healthcare and education more easily following the commissioning of a new Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Gbanyamle and a three-unit classroom block at Kuula.
Local leaders say the projects will significantly reduce travel time for routine medical care and improve learning conditions for children in the two communities.
Alhassan Suhiyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North, formally handed over the CHPS compound to the community and the Municipal Health Directorate, noting that Gbanyamni was until recently the only one of the area’s 11 electoral zones without a CHPS facility.
“I’m grateful that today we are witnessing the handing over of this facility to the community,” Suhiyini said, urging residents and health staff to use the centre to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in the municipality.
Mark Abugri, Sagnarigu Municipal Health Director, used the occasion to urge stakeholders to ensure the facility is quickly made operational.
He noted that the new compound currently lacks basic items, including grass mats, consumables, water and some medical equipment, and appealed for seed capital to procure these essentials.
In response, the MP pledged seed capital of GH¢20,000, while the Municipal Chief Executive added GH¢5,000.
Suhiyini also confirmed that funds remain available in his constituency health fund and asked the Municipal Health Director to submit an equipment list so purchases can be made quickly.
Local health officials and residents expect the new CHPS compound to shorten journeys for pregnant women, children and the elderly, who previously travelled long distances for basic care such as antenatal services, immunisations and treatment of minor illnesses.
At Kuula, the newly commissioned three-unit classroom block will provide a safer and more conducive learning environment for pupils.
The community, which previously had only a primary school, says the new Junior High School will end the long journeys pupils faced after completing Basic Six.
Suhiyini said these handovers form part of an ongoing push to expand basic services across Tamale North, funded through the District Assembly Common Fund and supported by development partners and NGOs.
He also linked the projects to planned improvements in local roads that will make health and school facilities more accessible.
Residents at both handover ceremonies expressed relief and optimism.
A mother from Gbanyamni said the new CHPS compound will make it easier to access healthcare and immunisations for her children. A head teacher in Kuula believes the new classroom block will reduce school dropouts and ensure children can continue their education within the community.
Suhiyini urged continued collaboration among the Health Directorate, school authorities, community leaders and development partners to maintain the new facilities and ensure they deliver lasting benefits.
By Nadra Mohammed
