The Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Alhassan Shani Shaibu has revealed that his region has witnessed significant advancements in education, health, agriculture, roads, water, sanitation, and rural electrification through several flagship government programmes.
Speaking at the third Town Hall Meeting organized by the Ministries of Finance and Information, the Regional Minister highlighted the government’s policies aimed at improving living standards in the region.
Education sector
In education, the region has received school infrastructure including dormitories and classroom blocks.
It has seen major strides with the distribution of 133 motorcycles, 23 pickup trucks, seven buses, and a Land Cruiser to aid in transportation, monitoring, and supervision across various districts.
These resources are part of broader efforts to improve access to education and enhance the quality of learning.
Health sector
The health sector has also benefited from key developments, notably the inclusion of 10 districts in the national Agenda 111 hospital project.
Districts such as Sagnarigu, Savelugu, Nanton, Saboba, Kpandai, and others will see new hospitals aimed at improving healthcare access.
In addition, the construction of a psychiatric hospital in Tamale marks a significant step in addressing mental health needs in northern Ghana.
The facility will include male and female wards, therapy centres, medical waste disposal, and accommodation for patient relatives.
Several MMDAs have also undertaken health-related projects, including the building of CHPS compounds, clinics, and housing for medical personnel.
These initiatives are expected to deepen healthcare service delivery and contribute to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Three (Good Health and Wellbeing).
Water and Sanitation Initiatives Access to clean water has been improved with the drilling of boreholes and the construction of Small Town Water Systems across all 16 MMDAs.
Sanitation
A notable achievement in the sanitation sector is the newly commissioned Tamale Integrated Recycling and Composting Plant, which is capable of processing up to 1,200 tonnes of solid waste daily.
This plant, which also features a Medical Waste Treatment facility, is expected to create around 2,000 jobs, particularly for the region’s youth.
Roads and other projects
On infrastructure, the region has seen remarkable progress with the completion of the Tamale International Airport Development Phase II and the Tamale Interchange.
The latter, with a total bridge and ramp length of 1072 meters, was opened to traffic after being commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
In addition, 24.6 kilometers of roads have been asphalted at strategic locations, including Bawa Barracks, Northern Command Headquarters, and the Police and Fire Service Headquarters.
The Department of Feeder Roads has also worked on improving 839.2 kilometers of feeder roads under various maintenance interventions.
The most significant project in the region is the 168-kilometer Tamale-Yendi-Tatale road, the longest road network worked on in the Northern Region.
The region is also benefiting from 131 pieces of equipment under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), including wheel loaders, backhoes, water tankers, and bulldozers.
These infrastructure developments aim to improve connectivity and economic activity, particularly in remote areas, further contributing to the region’s progress.
The Northern Region continues to benefit from government initiatives, and the improvements across key sectors are expected to boost economic growth, healthcare access, and education for its residents.
