The Paramount Chief of the Issa Traditional Area has condemned the alleged unlawful relocation of a Ghana Education Service (GES) office complex and some six staff bungalows from Issa to Daffiama, demanding its immediate reversal to uphold the law and promote equitable development.
In a press statement read on behalf of the chief by spokesperson Naa Yelkuang Bawele II at the Dafiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District Assembly, the Issa and Kajokperi Traditional Councils expressed outrage over the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council’s decision.
They claim it was influenced by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency and violates the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which requires administrative offices to be sited at the district capital Issa, the official capital since 2012 and administrative center since 1983.The statement highlighted that tender documents, publicly advertised, specified Issa as the site. It accused the redirection of resources of breaching procurement laws, including the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended, by failing to re-advertise or ensure transparency.
“This abrupt and unjustified redirection… appears to be a deliberate attempt to incite conflict between Issa and Daffiama a peace-loving community that has coexisted harmoniously for decades,” the statement read.
The councils called on President John Dramani Mahama, the Regional Minister, GETFund Administrator, and the MP to reverse the decision, citing inefficiencies like the District Chief Executive’s (DCE) frequent travels from Daffiama to Issa for meetings.
They referenced past resistance to similar relocation efforts led by former DCE Hon. Sanda.District Chief Executive Hon. James Wor, who received a petition on the matter, expressed sadness over the division. “My people could be divided over development because they are one people,” he said, urging calm and pledging to forward the petition to the Regional Minister.
The statement posed key questions: What stakeholder engagement occurred? Was the contract re-advertised? Did the contractor bid for Issa or Daffiama? It also speculated on whether Issa’s lack of a counter-press during a regional minister’s visit factored in.
The councils instructed the contractor not to begin work until procedures are followed, warning of protests if demands are ignored. Attachments included the original tender and alleged contract changes.
The dispute underscores tensions over resource allocation in the district, with Issa communities like Jolongyiri, Jempensi, and others facing potential service delays.
Meanwhile, the district chief executive, Hon James Wor who received the petition from the traditional councils on behalf of government described the development as sad. Thought he admitted that such an incident once occurred he said peace and unity should be paramount for everyone. He promised to immediately forward the petition to the Upper West regional minister for consideration.
