Tendamba Primary School in Sokpayiri Demolished to Make Way for 24-Hour Market Amidst Controversy and Court Battles

Tendamba Primary School in the Wa Municipality, was demolished by the Wa Municipal Assembly in the early hours of Saturday, June 13, 2026. The school, established in 1956, was razed to pave the way for the construction of a proposed 24-hour economy market, a project spearheaded by the Wa Municipal Assembly.

The demolition concludes a protracted saga characterized by controversy, court actions, and traditional interventions. The assembly’s decision to incorporate the land on which the school stands into the market project ignited fierce opposition from local landlords and community members. Critics argued that the decision was poorly executed, citing a lack of adequate stakeholder consultation, and questioned the transparency of the process.

In February, the opposition reached a peak when a faction of Sokpayiri landlords held a press conference condemning what they described as a flawed process. This group challenged the assembly’s approach and called for a halt to demolition plans. In response, another faction, claiming to represent the same landowning family, organized a separate press briefing, asserting that they had been consulted and had given their endorsement to the project.

The dispute escalated to the courts, with the Sokpayiri landlords filing a case at the Wa High Court and seeking an interlocutory injunction to stop any demolition activities pending the resolution of the legal matter. As tensions mounted, the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, intervened, mediating between the factions to defuse the conflict.

According to Jimpenhi Naa Kadri Ibrahim, Secretary to the Overlord, the mediation process successfully reconciled the differing positions, allowing for the continuation of the project. Despite the resolution, concerns remain among stakeholders; the Parent-Teacher Association, School Management Committee, and alumni of Tendamba Primary School voiced apprehensions over the loss of the school and the potential impact on the community’s educational landscape.

Naa Kadri Ibrahim emphasized that the Wa Municipal Assembly intends to involve the Municipal Education Directorate throughout the remaining phases of the project to ensure transparency and proper communication. The demolition signals a significant milestone in the development of the proposed market, but also underscores the importance of community engagement in urban development initiatives.