The Issa Traditional Area is in turmoil as chiefs and residents demand the reversal of a decision to relocate the construction of a new Ghana Education Service (GES) district office and bungalow from Issa to Daffiama.
In a petition submitted to the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District Assembly, Issa traditional leaders accused the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, led by Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing, of unlawfully diverting the educational infrastructure, allegedly under the influence of MP Dr. Sebastian Sandaare. Both officials have denied the allegations.
The Issa community, however, insists the relocation violates the Local Governance Act of 2016 (Act 936), which mandates that administrative offices must be located within the district capital. Paramount Chief Naa Yelkuan Bawele II described the redirection as unjustified and a threat to the peaceful coexistence between Issa and Daffiama communities.
Issa leaders also raised concerns about marginalization and financial inequities within the district. According to their figures, Issa generated over GH₵102,000 in internal revenue last year, compared to GH₵3,800 from Daffiama, yet continues to face developmental neglect.
Currently, the GES district office operates temporarily in Daffiama due to infrastructure limitations when the district was first created, a setup local officials say incurs unnecessary travel costs.
The chiefs warned that they are prepared to pursue all legal avenues, including barring contractors from accessing the project site, if the original contract terms are not honored. District Chief Executive James Wor, upon receiving the petition, thanked the chiefs for their peaceful conduct and assured that the matter would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for resolution, calling for unity among the communities.
Source: Accranewslonine.com
