A completed mortuary at Gurigo in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region has remained unused for more than six years, forcing bereaved families to continue travelling to Bolgatanga for mortuary services despite public funds being spent on the facility.
The facility was completed and connected to electricity but has never been equipped or officially handed over for use, according to community leaders and residents.
A visit to the facility by a Bolga FM reporter found the building unattended, with residents expressing concern that it could deteriorate further if authorities fail to intervene.
Nasiru Atibire, Assembly Member for the Gurigo Electoral Area, said the mortuary was constructed as part of plans to relocate the Bongo District Hospital to Gurigo.
According to him, disagreements between landowners and the Bongo District Assembly prevented the proposed hospital project from proceeding, although construction of the mortuary had already been completed.
Mr. Atibire said the land dispute was subsequently resolved through the efforts of the former assembly member, and the land is now available to the Assembly for development projects.
He believes the failure of the hospital project caused authorities to lose interest in operationalising the mortuary.
“This is taxpayers’ money that was used to construct the facility. It is now becoming a disadvantage to the district and the people living within the area,” he said.
Mr. Atibire appealed to the Bongo District Assembly, District Chief Executive and Member of Parliament to assess the facility, procure the necessary equipment and make it operational.
He also questioned reports that efforts were being made to raise funds for a temporary mortuary in Bongo Central while the completed Gurigo facility remains unused.
Residents say the continued closure of the facility has imposed additional financial and logistical burdens on families who lose relatives.
Matilda Timothy, a resident of Gurigo, said the mortuary had been abandoned for so long that it was constructed before she got married and moved into the community.
She said families are forced to travel from Bongo to Bolgatanga to preserve or transport the remains of their loved ones.
Another resident, Dominica Azamboko, said the community welcomed the construction of the facility because residents expected it to provide mortuary services for the wider Bongo District.
She appealed to the Member of Parliament and the Bongo District Chief Executive to take urgent steps to make the facility operational.
Lapaya Nyaaba also expressed disappointment that the facility provides little or no benefit to residents despite the resources invested in its construction.
Awinbire Asaah said community farmland was used for the project, but residents have yet to receive the expected benefit from giving up the land.
The Chief of Gurigo, GUNAA Richard Apika Ayambire, said the mortuary was completed and connected to electricity during a previous administration but has remained unused.
He expressed frustration over what he described as repeated promises by political leaders to operationalise the facility, particularly during election campaigns.
According to the chief, politicians have assured him on several occasions that the mortuary would be put into use after they assumed office, including a promise that the issue would be resolved within five months.
He questioned whether the assurances were merely political promises, noting that residents still have to travel to Bolgatanga whenever they require mortuary services.
Residents are calling on the Bongo District Assembly, the District Chief Executive, the Member of Parliament and other relevant authorities to assess the condition of the facility, undertake any necessary rehabilitation, provide the required equipment and open it for use.
They say operationalising the Gurigo mortuary would reduce the financial and logistical burden on bereaved families and eliminate the need for residents to travel to Bolgatanga for mortuary services.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
