Filed by: Fayilatu Issah
The Paramount Chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area, Naa Alhaji Seidu Tungbani Salinbile II, together with members of the traditional council, paid a working visit to the construction site of the Dorimon E-Block Senior High School project in the Wa West District.
The visit was aimed at assessing the progress of work and encouraging the contractor to expedite construction to enable students in the area to access secondary and technical education closer to home.
Speaking during the inspection, Naa Tungbani described the project as the “heartbeat” of the Dorimon Traditional Area, stressing that the absence of a second cycle school has been a longstanding concern for residents.
He said many young people from the area continue to travel to other districts and regions to access secondary education, a situation he believes places great financial burden on families and contributes to school dropouts.
“This project is so dear to the hearts of the Dorimon Traditional Area. It is really the heartbeat of the people because our people are yearning for secondary education, and most especially TVET education. Our sons and daughters up till now still go to other districts to get secondary education.”
Naa Tungbani explained that the traditional council’s visit was also intended to provide moral support and encouragement to the contractor to work diligently towards completing the facility.
The E-Block project was initiated during the first administration of former President John Dramani Mahama but was subsequently abandoned after a change in government in 2017
The Paramount Chief recalled that several appeals were made by the traditional authorities for the project to be completed, including a visit to the Presidency in 2018 by his predecessor, the late Naa Suhimwinenye Danaa Gori II.
Despite assurances given at the time by President Nana Akufo-Addo, little progress was made on the project for several years, he said.
According to the revered chief, he could not hide his excitement when the Member of Parliament for Wa West, Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu, informed the traditional authorities that work would resume on the abandoned project.
After inspecting the facility, Naa Tungbani expressed satisfaction with the progress made, estimating that about 80 percent of the project had been completed.
He noted that most of the major works had been undertaken, expressing hope that the projected would be completed soon for the benefit of residents of Dorimon and surrounding communities.
The Paramount Chief expressed gratitude to the contractor, the Member of Parliament, the Upper West Regional Minister, and the President for their efforts towards reviving the project.
Queen Mothers Appeal
On her part, Guo Pognaa Saadia Mwingbang Senye I said the queen mothers were excited about the progress of the project and expressed appreciation to stakeholders, including the Wa West District Chief Executive and the Member of Parliament, for their roles in ensuring that work resumed.
She appealed to the contractor to speed up construction to enable the school to be ready for the next academic year and subsequently absorbed into the government school system.
Pognaa Saadia said the establishment of a senior high school in the area would encourage children to remain in school and could help reduce the high rate of school dropouts, particularly among girls.
She assured the contractor of the traditional authorities’ support and said they were prepared to assist in addressing any challenges that could hinder the timely completion of the project.
All materials available
Meanwhile, Secretary to the contractor, Mr. Felix Nugor, said the visit by the traditional council was a major source of motivation for the construction team.
He assured the council that materials required for the completion of the project were readily available and indicated that the contractor was committed to accelerating work.
