Mr. Joseph Abaah Akansake, the Bongo District Chief Executive, who made the call, stressed that the district was open for investment and stronger collaboration to transform the rich potentials of the district to address critical areas such as infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), among others.

The DCE made the call in Bolgatanga during the Bongo District Maiden Development Partners Forum, organised with support from WaterAid Ghana, a WASH-focused organisation.

The forum, which brought together partners in the civil society and non-governmental organisations sector, government agencies, traditional authorities, state departments, among others, was to create a platform for the Bongo District Assembly to strengthen its collaboration with development partners.

The forum was to allow the Bongo District Assembly to present its challenges, development plans, and areas of opportunity for the development partners to identify areas of partnership to help transform the lives of vulnerable people.

The stakeholders also shared insights and pledged varying levels of support to complement the government’s efforts in the district.

The DCE expressed gratitude to the development partners for their support of the progress of the district over the years and noted that the district was still battling numerous development challenges and there was an urgent need to strengthen collaboration for improved services to address the needs of the people.

One of the major challenges confronting the district, Mr. Akansake noted was the issue of potable water, with high fluoride levels in the sources of water in the area and lauded WaterAid Ghana for adopting the district to work towards universal access to safe water for the next five years.

In the area of education, the DCE noted that apart from the infrastructure deficit and poor state of many schools in the area, the district had a furniture deficit of about 11,000 dual desks in the basic schools.

In the area of health, he said the district had been battling with health infrastructure at all levels, adding that the current state of the Bongo District Hospital lacked the requisite space to deliver quality healthcare.

He said there was a need for the construction of a new district hospital to serve the needs of the people and called on stakeholders to collaborate to equip the various health facilities to deliver quality care.

Mr Akansake noted that the Assembly had earmarked 10 per cent of its District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) for WASH-related projects, including the construction of mechanised boreholes and completion of toilet facilities.

“We also plan to complete all abandoned classroom blocks, provide furniture to schools, and enhance Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds with better staff accommodation.

“So, we are calling on you (development partners) to help us rebuild our schools, furnish our classrooms, build our hospitals, and bring clean water to every community, even the smallest intervention can create a lasting ripple”, he emphasised.

Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum, the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, commended the Assembly for the initiative and noted that the forum needed to be sustained to harness such collaboration for the development of the district.

Ms Fauzia Aliu, Advocacy, Campaigns and Inclusion Manager, WaterAid Ghana, noted that her organisation was working to assist the Bongo District Assembly to develop a 10-year WASH Strategy and Investment Plan that could attract and direct funding effectively.