Final decision rests with Waala Overlord amidst conflicting priorities of development and education.
The Wa Metropolitan Assembly is strongly considering the demolition of Tendamba Primary School, one of the metropolitan's oldest basic schools, to construct a government-sponsored 24-hour economy market, Metropolitan Chief Executive Hon. Nurah Issah Danwanaa confirmed on Wednesday January 21, 2026.
During an appearance on GBC Radio Upper West "Bayelka Bayelka" as translate (They Say They Say) talk show. Hon. Danwanaa stated there is a seventy percent (70%) likelihood the school’s land will be used for the project. He emphasized that the final decision rests with the Overlord of the Waala State, Naa Fuseini Pelpuo IV, and the Tendamba landowners.
“We have several areas that could be considered. However, the possibility of using the Tendamba Primary School land is seventy percent (70%),” Hon. Danwanaa said. “Should the school be affected, we will have to relocate it.” He stated.
The proposed market would include 160 stalls, a clinic, guest rooms, storerooms, and a school among its facilities, according to the MCE's details.
This potential action reactivates a land dispute from approximately two years ago, when encroachment threats prompted Naa Fuseini Pelpuo IV to issue a fatwa prohibiting encroachment on Tendamba Primary School and all other schools under his jurisdiction. The fatwa remains in effect, placing the ultimate authority for any land reallocation with the Waala Traditional Council.
Sources within Tendamba Primary School, speaking on condition of anonymity, report a significant and persistent decline in student enrollment in recent years, particularly at the Junior High School level. It is unclear if this decline factored into the site's evaluation.
The situation presents a direct controversy between urban economic development plans and the preservation of a community educational institution. The announcement has sparked concern among local stakeholders, who now await a definitive ruling from the Waala Overlord.
The Wa Metropolitan Assembly has not provided a timeline for the final decision or details on potential relocation sites for the school.