Why It Has Taken More Than 5yrs To Build Ghanasco Science Lab

Headmistress, Ghanaso

The construction of a multifaceted science laboratory for Ghana Senior High School (Ghanasco) in Tamale, which begun in late 2008 is yet to be completed and officially handed over to the school.

The 6.9 billion old cedi edifice (contract sum at the time of sod-cutting) is a government of Ghana project and intends to enhance the practicals aspect of science education in the school.

Breaking the ground for the beginning of construction of the laboratory, the then Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris (R.I.P) said, since the facility is the first of its kind, resources in it will serve other schools apart from Ghanasco so as to promote the effective teaching and study of science.

The construction of the laboratory was to take 15 months, and would have six different laboratories within one building, with each accommodating 50 students at a time when it is eventually completed.

However, it is almost five years down the line and the entire construction, including (laboratory installations) are yet to be completed in order to pave way for official handing over and utilization by the school.

Regrettably, before the project is completed and handed over, the building has already started deteriorating. Cobwebs and dusts have invaded the various departments of the building made up of physics, chemistry and biology laboratories at the time of visit by this reporter a month ago.

Besides, domestic animals such as goats and sheep frequently take over the building premises as their home whenever it is raining or when they want a quiet place to rest, as their droppings can be noticed almost everywhere.

Paintings of the walls outside of the building have also started peeling off or undergoing decolourisation, making the entire edifice look dirty!

Headmistress of Ghanasco Mrs. Mary Asobayire Dan-Braimah told Savannahnews in an interview, that the execution of the laboratory project is still on course. “Currently, they have reached a stage where they’re fixing cabinets, gas cylinders and other equipment”, she mentioned.

She however, could not state emphatically, what has accounted for the delay of the completion of the project and directed this blogger to seek answers from the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC).

When contacted, the Chief Director of the NRCC Alhaji Alhassan Issahaku declined to grant any interview to this blogger until he writes officially to his office stating exactly what he (reporter) was investigating.

Alhaji Issahaku will not also confirm nor deny that the NRCC (government) is the initiator/implementer of the project, but when pushed further by this blogger, he said he believes the delay in completion may be as a result of challenges on the part of government in financing it or the contractor.

Established in 1960, Ghanasco is noted for its great feats in the field of science over the years. Some few decades ago, it became the first second cycle institution in Africa to launch a rocket into space and had consistently done this over the years during special occasions. Ghanasco offer courses such as Agric Science, Science, General Arts, Business and Home Science.