The Former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Tamale South Constituency, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for circumspection in the reportage of the purported toilet-turned-dormitory at the Ghana Senior High School (Ghanasco).
He said there was a need to report the historical facts accurately about the Gbanza/Cabrel house which is at the center of the brouhaha.
Mr. Iddrisu who said much of what has been put out there is not entirely factual and lacks the historical perspective, and that the reports were as if there is an official record of students being posted to the toilet facility.
Speaking to the media after touring the said house, the MP said there was no official record to support the claim that students were being permanently housed in the toilet facility. Instead, the facility has largely been used as a box room.
“The facility was built in 1970 and 80 as toilets and baths but have been used by some category of students searching for isolation for purposes of learning, therefore, some of your report as I have indicated is not entirely accurate and factual, however, let’s all await the investigation that has been sole commissioned by the Director General of the Ghana Education services,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu said the negative reportage can affect the emotions of the students and called for the discontinuation of the negativity.
“And therefore we owe it to these kids that this negative reportage stops while we establish the full facts around the purported reportage of student being accommodated in toilets and baths. I do not have the full facts but I have gone round with you to ascertain some of the facts.
“As far back as 1978, Master Agude taught me mathematics at the Bagabaga JSS, leaving this school the facility was no longer used for that purpose so when again was it used for that purpose we need to ascertain the facts,” he said.
He raised concerns over the acute water shortage in the Tamale Metropolis. Mr. Iddrisu said parliament in 2019 approved an amount of 276 million Euro for the expansion of the Tamale water facility but that is yet to happen.
“Far back in 2019 into 2021, parliament approved for a facility for the expansion of Tamale water which will naturally benefit Ghansco, Nobisco and benefit Tamasco, and benefit all other schools in Tamale and therefore it’s been of concern,” the Tamale South MP said.
He therefore called on government to give the issue the priority it deserves.
Mr. Iddrisu also visited the room the former president John Dramani Mahama lived in as a student and prefect. He said the former president renovated the Gbanza/Cabrel house and has said he will take care of any defect should there be one in the house. Mr. Iddrisu added that he as MP for the area would support the course.
