The Member of Parliament for Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency Alhaji Shaibu Mahama first year in office as MP for the area has seen some sharp interventions towards improving the standards of education in the Constituency.
According to the NDC Constituency Communication Officer Alhaji Jabaru John, the MP has undertaken a lot of initiatives to that need strong commendations.
Since assuming office on January 7, 2025, the Member of Parliament for Daboya–Mankarigu Constituency, Hon. Shaibu Mahama Obei, has outlined key priority areas aimed at accelerating development across the constituency.
The identified sectors include Education, Human Resource Development and Empowerment, Health, Roads, Electrification, Rural Telephony, and Water and Sanitation.
Providing the first in a series of updates, the Office of the MP has highlighted major interventions in the education sector, described as the foremost priority of the constituency’s development agenda.
EDUCATION
Education remains central to the constituency’s transformation drive, particularly in addressing high illiteracy rates and declining academic performance. The Office of the MP has therefore rolled out strategic and targeted interventions to reverse the trend.
Annual Academic Excellence Awards Instituted
To promote academic competition and reward excellence, Hon. Shaibu Mahama Obei has instituted Annual Academic Excellence Awards for the best three BECE candidates in every Junior High School across the constituency.
Award packages include full sets of core subject textbooks, scientific calculators, mathematical sets, exercise books, pens, and cash support for the purchase of elective textbooks.
The initiative is already inspiring students to improve their academic performance.
Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Education.
A well-attended stakeholders’ dialogue was organized to examine the root causes of declining educational standards. The engagement brought together key education stakeholders to deliberate on practical solutions.
A committee has since been formed and is currently developing a comprehensive implementation framework to tackle the identified challenges.
Scholarship and Educational Support Programmes
In a bid to expand access to higher education, the MP has awarded full scholarships to two MPhil students and three first-degree students, with a commitment to fund their education until completion.
To date, 21 students have been fully sponsored throughout their academic journey. The first batch of four beneficiaries completed their programmes two years ago and are now employed in reputable institutions, positively impacting their families and communities.
Additionally, more than 60 students have received financial assistance toward the payment of their school fees.
Plans are also underway to sponsor at least three students from the constituency to pursue Medicine.
Savannah College of Education – New Campus Project
Savannah College of Education
Through collaborative engagements with key stakeholders, a new campus for the Savannah College of Education has been successfully lobbied for.
The project will feature over thirteen major structures, adequate land for a sports complex, and facilities capable of hosting inter-college games.
The contractor is expected to begin work soon, with completion projected within two years. Upon completion, the College will relocate to the new campus, allowing Wasipe Senior High School to reclaim its premises.
Discussions are also far advanced for the Ghana Education Service to absorb Wasipe SHS as a government boarding school, which would give the constituency two public senior high schools.
Teacher Recruitment and Deployment.
To improve the teacher–student ratio, Hon. Shaibu Mahama Obei has facilitated the appointment of several teachers who have already been posted to communities including Kito, Bawena, Lingbinsi, Yagbon, Mankarigu and Daboya. Additional appointments are currently being processed.
Expansion of Educational Infrastructure.
The MP has expressed concern over the lack of Junior High Schools in some electoral areas, particularly Wawato, which is affecting progression from primary to JHS.
In collaboration with the North Gonja District Assembly, the following interventions are ongoing:
Completion of a three-unit classroom block at Kparia.
Establishment of an additional Junior High School at Zeipe, including teacher accommodation.
Completion of teachers’ quarters at Mankarigu and ongoing construction of teachers’ apartments at Daboya.
Renovation of existing school facilities, including Lingbinsi Presby Primary School.
These projects are expected to enhance access, retention and continuity in education across the constituency.
Conclusion.
The Office of the Member of Parliament acknowledges that the full impact of these investments may not be immediately visible.
However, education remains the most powerful tool in the fight against poverty and deprivation, especially in one of Ghana’s most underserved constituencies.
While transformation will not occur overnight, investing in the education of children today is seen as the surest path to a brighter and more prosperous future for Daboya–Mankarigu.
Parents and guardians are therefore encouraged to prioritize and invest in the education of their children.
