The MP for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has officially broken ground on a state-of-the-art Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Beongo in the Upper East Region.
The project, valued at GHS 700,000, is the result of a unique funding partnership secured by the MP.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) provided a significant GHS 500,000 grant as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate, while the remaining GHS 200,000 was drawn from the MP’s share of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
The project has been handed over to the contractor, M/S Nayi-Kuu, marking the fulfilment of a key campaign pledge made by Mr. Adongo during the high-stakes 2024 general elections.
Answering the Call of Women and Children
Speaking at the project site over the weekend, Mr. Adongo—who also serves as the Chairperson of Parliament’s Finance Committee—revealed that the facility was born out of a direct plea from the women of the Beongo community.
During the 2024 electioneering period, residents highlighted the lack of basic health infrastructure, particularly for neonatal care.
“This project is in response to a direct request from this community during the 2024 electioneering campaign. When we arrived here, the majority of the people who came to listen to us were women, and they told us their biggest concern was the absence of a facility to weigh their children,” Mr Adongo noted.
What began as a “makeshift baby-weighing shed” provided in December 2024 has now evolved into a comprehensive medical hub.
The MP emphasised that temporary fixes were no longer sufficient for the growing suburb.
“Having considered the location of the community and the kind of services they require, we realised they needed something more comprehensive than just a weighing centre. That is why this facility is not only for weighing babies but also for family planning, reproductive health services, antenatal care and first aid,” he added.
Strategic Resource Mobilization
The involvement of GPHA in a project hundreds of miles from the Atlantic coast was hailed by the MP as a masterstroke in “national thinking”.
“We are very grateful to GPHA. We don’t have a sea here, but they have seen the need to extend their corporate social responsibility to benefit a community far away from the coast. That is a good example of a national institution thinking beyond geography,” Mr. Adongo remarked.
This project is part of a broader “Constituency Development Strategy” designed by Mr Adongo to look beyond the central government’s budget.
He disclosed that he is actively courting other statutory bodies, including the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), the Mineral Development Fund (MDF), and Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) for future interventions.
Already, the National Investment Bank (NIB) has sponsored the drilling of three boreholes within the constituency to alleviate water scarcity.
Combating Maternal Mortality
In a region where access to quality healthcare is often hampered by distance, the new CHPS compound is expected to be a lifesaver.
The facility will feature a delivery room, a general ward, a consulting room, a storeroom, and on-site nurses’ quarters to ensure 24-hour service.
“Safe delivery does not start at the point of delivery. It starts with antenatal care and all the preparatory services that ensure the safety of the mother. This facility is meant to provide that support,” Adongo stressed, highlighting the critical role of early intervention in reducing maternal mortality.
Community and Official Endorsement
The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Roland Atanga Ayoo, who joined the MP for the exercise, commended the initiative for bringing healthcare “to the doorsteps” of the people.
Residents expressed palpable relief at the development.
Alenyorike Priscilla, a local mother, recounted the arduous journeys women previously faced.
“When this CHPS compound is finished, the difficulties women go through to access healthcare will be a thing of the past,” she said.
Timeline and Implementation
The contractor, Joseph Nayi-Kuu Gandaa, has been given a strict three-month window to complete the facility.
Mr. Adongo urged the local youth to seize the temporary employment opportunities created by the construction and called on community leaders to act as “informal supervisors” to ensure the highest quality of work.
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