Tendamba Primary School, one of the oldest basic schools in Wa Municipality, faces potential demolition to make way for a government-promised 24-hour economy market, sparking renewed concerns among local stakeholders. The school’s land came under threat of encroachment about two years ago, drawing widespread alarm in Wa Municipality. This led to the Overlord of the Waala State, Naa Fuseini Pelpuo IV, issuing a fatwa prohibiting encroachment on the school grounds and all other schools under his jurisdiction.
Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Nurah Issah Danwanaa, confirmed the site’s evaluation during an appearance on GBC Radio Upper West’s Bayelka Bayelka talk show, monitored by Yiri News.
“We have several areas that could be considered. However, the possibility of using the Tendamba Primary School land is seventy percent (70%),” he stated.
He emphasized that the final decision rests with the Overlord of the Waala State and the Tendamba (landlords), who will determine which parcel of land to allocate to the assembly. Hon. Danwanaa added that if the school is affected, it would be relocated. “Should the school be affected, we will have to relocate it,” he affirmed.
Giving details of what the market would entail, he said, the proposed market would feature 160 stalls, a clinic, guest rooms, storerooms, and even a school, among other facilities.
Sources at Tendamba Primary School report that the once-thriving institution has seen persistently low enrollment in recent years, with the junior high school (JHS) section receiving very few students. It remains unclear whether this decline influenced the site’s consideration for redevelopment.
The development pits economic growth against the preservation of educational heritage, leaving residents and education advocates watching closely for the overlord’s ruling.
Good news
The JHS premises can even accommodate the Primar.
It is worth pursuing