The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for West Gonja, Hon. Yakubu Yussif Castro, has cut sod for two major development projects aimed at improving healthcare and education in Achulokura and Wawato. The ceremonies were held on Saturday, 6th December 2025, as part of efforts to close the development gap in the municipality.
At Achulokura in the Sor Electoral Area, Hon. Castro led the sod-cutting for the construction and furnishing of a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound, which will include a three-unit nurses’ accommodation block and a solar power system to support the proper storage of medicines.
Speaking at the event, the MCE emphasized that the initiative fulfills a promise made to the community. He explained that former NDC parliamentary candidate, Hon. Adam Mutawakilu (Garlus), made those promises during his campaign tour to the area a year ago, pledging that if the NDC was given the nod in the 2024 general election, the community would witness major developments, including a CHPS compound.
“This project is a fulfillment of what was promised to you. We are committed to delivering development when the people give us their trust,” the MCE stated.
Representing the contractor, Mr. Ningani Zakaria of SamFori Company Limited expressed appreciation for the opportunity and pledged quality delivery.
“We are happy to secure this contract. Nothing will be compromised. We plan to complete the project in four months earlier than the six-month estimate, while maintaining high standards,” he assured.
The ceremony brought joy to residents and health workers, who promised to maintain the facility. They also appealed for potable drinking water, noting it as an urgent need.
At Wawato in the Achubunyor Electoral Area, the MCE also cut sod for the construction of a fully furnished three-unit classroom block with auxiliary facilities, a solar power system, and the planting of shade and economic trees. This project aims to ease the burden on pupils who currently walk nearly 9 kilometers to access education in Soalepe community.
“No child should walk such a long distance for basic education. This project is to bring education closer to your doorstep,” Hon. Castro stressed.
He urged chiefs and residents to protect the school land from encroachment and called for proper documentation by traditional authorities to prevent future disputes.
A representative of the contractor pledged timely and quality delivery.
“We will ensure quality work and do our best to complete the project before the six-month period, all things being equal,” he said.
Residents of Wawato expressed gratitude for the educational intervention and promised to maintain the facility. They also appealed to authorities to improve their road network, describing it as a major challenge.
“We thank government for the school, but we also need a good road. Our road condition is very bad,” a resident noted.
Saturday’s events marked the end of the MCE’s week-long familiarization and development tour of the municipality. The tour, which began on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, included the distribution of work and trade kits, the Municipal Farmers’ Day celebration at Busunu, and sod-cutting ceremonies for additional CHPS compounds and school projects at Sor No. 2, Agric Settlement, Achulokura, and Wawato.
