Bono Minister Commissions Schools, Assures Support for Mahama Government

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has called on residents of the Tain District and the Bono Region at large to support President John Dramani Mahama's administration as it pursues its development agenda. Mr Akwaboa said the government was committed to ensuring that public funds and taxpayers' money were utilised effectively to improve the living standards of Ghanaians through infrastructure development.

He made the remarks during a two-day working tour of the Tain District as part of the district's "Accounting to the People" programme, where he inspected and commissioned several development projects. The minister described the government's level of infrastructure development within its first one and a half years in office as unmatched by previous governments.

As part of the tour, Mr Akwaboa inspected the ongoing construction of the Debibi Senior High Technical School, a major educational project funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The project comprises boys' and girls' dormitories, an administration block, library, ICT block, a 2,500-capacity dining hall with a kitchen, infirmary, science laboratory, staff accommodation, headmaster's bungalow, classroom blocks, and a technical workshop. The minister described the project as the biggest educational investment in the Bono Region when completed, saying it would provide students with both secondary and technical education to equip them with employable skills.

He expressed confidence that the facility would be completed by the end of 2027 and assured residents that President Mahama would commission the project upon completion. Mr. Akwaboa urged the chiefs and people of Debibi to support the project to ensure its timely completion. New classroom blocks commissioned at Drobo Bepoayase were also inspected and handed over to the local basic school. The minister commended the District Chief Executive and his team for their commitment to development, particularly in expanding educational infrastructure.

Mr. Akwaboa encouraged parents to prioritise their children's education and assured residents that government remained committed to completing major road projects, including the Wenchi-Sampa and Odumase-Badu roads, to enhance economic activities. Support for deprived communities was also shown at Agyaniamu, a farming community, where a six-unit classroom block was commissioned and handed over to the community. The minister urged parents to continue supporting their children's education while government works to provide the needed infrastructure.

Mr. Akwaboa also commissioned a newly constructed two-unit kindergarten block equipped with an office to support early childhood education at Dagadu. The Tain Member of Parliament, Adama Sulemana, said the government's plan was to construct two-unit, three-unit, and six-unit classroom blocks in every district annually. He added that the government would continue to provide development projects for communities, including improving telecommunications infrastructure and supporting the completion of the Dagadu maternity block.

The Bono Regional Minister also inspected ongoing construction works at the Seikwa Nursing and Midwifery Training College, including a new administration block and accommodation facilities for lecturers. The tour forms part of engagements with stakeholders in the Tain District to assess development needs and highlight ongoing government projects. Mr Akwaboa is expected to conclude the exercise with similar engagements in the Berekum East Municipality.

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, is one of several high-profile appointments made by President John Dramani Mahama since taking office. Mr. Akwaboa was appointed in 2024 and has been responsible for overseeing the development agenda of the Bono Region. His tenure has seen several key projects initiated, including the construction of several schools and roads.

According to sources, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has provided significant funding for educational infrastructure development in the Tain District. The fund was established in 2000 to support the development of education in Ghana. Since its inception, the fund has disbursed over GH¢ 10 billion towards educational infrastructure development.

The construction of the Debibi Senior High Technical School is part of the government's broader effort to improve access to education in Ghana. According to statistics, over 60% of school-age children in Ghana are enrolled in schools. The government aims to increase this figure to 80% by 2030.