Wa Sokpayiri Landowners Protest Planned Conversion of Tindamba Schools into 24-Hour Market

The Landlords of Wa Sokpayiri have strongly opposed plans by the Wa Municipal Assembly to demolish the Tendamba Primary and Kindergarten Schools to pave the way for the construction of a proposed 24-Hour Economy Market.

Addressing a press conference in Wa on February 10, 2026, the landlords, through a statement read by Ibrahim Abu Sunkari, expressed disappointment that they were not consulted before the decision was taken, despite being landowners and key stakeholders of the schools.

“It will surprise you to know that as the landowners of the said school, and for that matter, a critical and important stakeholder, we were not in any way consulted before arriving at the proposal to demolish, relocate or convert the said school’s land into a 24-hour economic market,” the statement said.

The landlords clarified that they are not opposed to government policies aimed at expanding market infrastructure and boosting economic activity in Wa. However, they raised serious concerns about the choice of location, particularly the decision to demolish a school established before Ghana’s independence to make way for a market when alternative sites exist.

According to the landlords, the Tindamba school land was acquired by the colonial government and later vested in the Government of Ghana strictly for educational purposes. They noted that the purpose of the land has not changed, a position they said was confirmed in a letter dated April 5, 2024, from the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Council to the Upper West Regional Director of the Lands Commission, which was copied to media houses in the region.

They warned that converting the school land into a market would have negative consequences for pupils, teachers, parents, and the wider community. Among their concerns are disruptions to teaching and learning, safety and security risks, and inconvenience that could arise from operating a 24-hour market in close proximity to a basic school.

The landlords also highlighted that parents deliberately enroll their children in Tindamba Primary and Kindergarten based on factors such as a conducive learning environment, community stability, and proximity to the school. An abrupt relocation, they argued, would disrupt pupils’ academic focus and negatively affect their social and personal development.

They further stressed the cultural and historical significance of the school, noting that Tindamba Primary School, opened in 1956 during the pre-independence era, is one of the earliest schools in the Wa Traditional Area and carries important heritage value.

“We therefore totally oppose the proposed demolition since it will weaken our sense of identity and pride as Tindamba,” the statement added.

The landlords also expressed concern that demolishing the school could lead to the loss of historical and public records that former pupils may need in the future for academic or official purposes.

As an alternative, the landlords proposed several sites that could be considered for the 24-Hour Economy Market, including unused educational land at Kpaguri, behind the former Ahmadiyya Mission Clinic, land near the Metro Mass Transit Depot, areas behind the former Ghana Cotton Company, and the current Meteorological Service Station.

They also called for the renovation and upgrading of Tindamba Primary and Kindergarten Schools to meet modern educational standards, the provision of additional infrastructure to attract more pupils, and the construction of a perimeter fence to enhance safety.

The landlords reiterated their commitment to the economic development of Wa, the Upper West Region, and Ghana as a whole, but urged the Wa Municipal Assembly and relevant government agencies to reconsider the demolition plans and engage all key stakeholders in any future decisions.