The event marked the culmination of a multi-year project, now standing as a physical testament to political continuity and shared commitment to educational infrastructure.

Presiding over the ceremony, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Mr. Eric Edem Agbana, positioned the project as a legacy of collaborative governance. He openly credited his predecessor, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, with the original vision, revealing that the project’s foundation was laid in August 2020. “This project is solely his vision. He laid the foundation and brought it to a level that made it easier for us to complete,” Agbana stated, even suggesting the facility be named the “Avedzi Clinic” in honour of its initiator.

The modern infirmary is now declared fully operational and equipped to serve a population exceeding 4,000, encompassing the entire school body and the surrounding Penyi community. Mr. Agbana detailed that the facility is “fit for purpose,” with efforts already underway to secure a resident Physician Assistant to ensure robust, round-the-clock healthcare delivery. He emphasized its critical role, stating, “We now have a facility that can serve a community of over 4,000 people.”

Beyond healthcare, the MP outlined an ambitious package of additional infrastructural projects slated for DZOSEC within the year. These include the rehabilitation of internal roads, construction of drainage systems, provision of new furniture, and the creation of an additional access route to improve safety and movement on the sprawling campus. He linked these developments directly to academic success, urging students to leverage the “serene and enabling learning environment.”

A call for discipline and responsible stewardship accompanied the handover. Mr. Agbana cautioned students against misusing the facility, urging, “Do not turn the clinic into a hideout. Use it for genuine health needs.” He further warned against indiscipline, noting that the Assembly would collaborate with the Police to intensify night patrols around the school to ensure student safety and focus.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Ketu North, Rev. Martin Amenaki, hailed the day as historic, framing the infirmary within the government’s broader vision of universal primary healthcare access. “With a population of more than 4,000 students and staff, DZOSEC effectively functioned as a community and therefore deserved a functional health facility,” he remarked, celebrating the collaborative effort between past and present leadership.

From a public health perspective, the commissioning was met with profound relief.

Alhaji Sumaila Gariba, the Municipal Director of Health, explained that the absence of a proper infirmary had delayed the formal operationalization of school health services, as required by Ghana Health Service policy. “This facility is now fully furnished and meets the standards of a health centre. Leadership has truly taken

charge,” he affirmed, noting it would operate as an extension of the Penyi Health Centre.

The Acting Headmaster of DZOSEC, Mr. Gerhard Avudzivi, described the event as a milestone, directly linking student health to educational quality. “Quality education cannot thrive without good health. This infirmary will ensure prompt and professional medical attention for our students and staff,” he said. He praised the sequential contributions of Dr. Avedzi and Mr. Agbana as a powerful “testament to continuity in leadership and development.”

The completion was bolstered by community advocacy, as the MP acknowledged the relentless efforts of the former Headmaster, Mr. Joshua Vidzro, in mobilizing support and securing key medical equipment from NGOs and partners like Dr. Ebenezer Mbonga Akwanga. This collective action underscores the project’s deep roots in local need and determination.

With the infirmary’s doors now open, DZOSEC enters a new chapter where health emergencies can be addressed promptly on campus, minimizing academic disruption and providing peace of mind to parents, staff, and students alike. The project stands not only as a new building but as a symbol of what can be achieved when successive leaders and communities unite for a common cause.