Former Wa Metropolitan Chief Executive Reflects on Unfulfilled Vision of Nakore Wood Village

In a candid and exclusive interview on the sociopolitical program Info Weekend Watch, Hon. Issahaku Tahiru Moomen, former Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), shared one of his deepest frustrations since leaving office: his inability to see the Nakore Wood Village project fully operationalized.

During his tenure, Hon. Issahaku invested considerable resources into preparing the site to become a thriving hub for sawmill operators and woodworkers in the Wa metropolis.

Significant infrastructure developments were completed, including the extension of electricity to the site, drilling of a reliable borehole, and even the construction of a police station to enhance security and order within the village.

"The assembly invested so many resources into the project just to make it ready for them. Everything they needed to begin work was provided. That’s why some even went ahead to begin erecting their shops," he indicated.

Despite these efforts, the vision to relocate woodworkers from scattered locations in Wa to this designated space has yet to materialize. Hon. Issahaku attributed this shortfall largely to a lack of consensus among the woodworkers themselves.

'‘Many of those in the wood business did not see my vision in creating the wood village. Subsequently, some political issues also resulted in our inability to evacuate them to the wood village. Many were reluctant to embrace the idea, uncertain about what the move would mean for their livelihoods."

Alongside this hesitation, the former MCE acknowledged the detrimental impact of internal political manoeuvring, which not only stalled progress but threatened the political standing of the ruling government.

Reflecting on the broader importance of the initiative, Hon. Issahaku emphasized that establishing a dedicated wood village is a strategic policy that all stakeholders should support.

He noted the numerous economic and social benefits such a centralized community would bring, hence, boosting local industry, creating jobs, and fostering organized business activities.

Looking ahead, Hon. Issahaku expressed confidence in his successor, Hon. Nurah Issah Danwana, to pick up the baton and ensure the eventual relocation of the woodworkers to Nakore.

He underscored his hope that the project would receive the necessary political and community backing to transform Wa’s wood industry for the better.

Currently, the Wood village site in Nakore, which was cleared and had some of the wood workers set up sheds to move in their wood and saw mills, is left desolate with some of the sheds already destroyed by wind storms and the area overgrown with weeds.

It is, however, unclear what the plans of the current Wa Municipal Chief Executive are towards moving the sawmill operators and wood workers to the wood village in Nakore.