One of Ghana’s prominent Supreme Court Justices, Justice Yuoni Kulendi has publicly opposed the Wa Municipal Assembly’s plans to relocate Tendamba Primary School, a historic educational institution at the heart of Wa. Justice Kulendi, a former student of the school, expressed strong disapproval of the proposed demolition of the school’s structures to pave the way for a new 24-hour market.

Tendamba Primary School has served as a cornerstone of education in Wa for almost seventy years, nurturing generations of children and standing as a symbol of the community’s educational legacy. The proposed relocation and subsequent demolition of the school’s structures have drawn widespread criticism from local residents, educational stakeholders, some traditional authorities and old students of the school .

Justice Kulendi, who visited the Paramount Chief of Wa and the office of the Wa Municipal Assembly to voice his concerns, warned that if the assembly proceeds with its plans, he and other legal advocates would explore all available avenues to prevent the project. During his meeting with the Wa Naa, Justice Kulendi emphasized the importance of preserving the school’s legacy and urged the assembly to consider alternative solutions.

The opposition to the project extends beyond Justice Yuoni Kulendi. Members of the Zongo electoral area, including local opinion leaders, have expressed disapproval, stating they were not consulted by the assembly prior to the plan’s unveiling. Mr. Muozu Mohammed Akram, Chairman of the School Management Committee, also condemned the decision, highlighting that the school’s authorities and community stakeholders were not involved in the planning process and calling on the assembly to reconsider.

In interviews with local radio stations, Wa Municipal Chief Executive Alhaji Nura Danwaana explained that the strategic location of the school within the central business district motivated the decision to construct the market, aiming to boost commercial activity in the area. However, residents from neighborhoods such as Wa Sopkpayiri, Zongo, and Kabanye expressed mixed reactions , while some supported the development to improve trading infrastructure, many others urged the assembly to seek alternative sites for the market and preserve the historic school.

Community members also appealed to the assembly to invest in renovating and upgrading Tendamba Primary School’s existing infrastructure to make it more attractive and conducive to learning. Currently, the school accommodates over 300 pupils, serving as an essential educational hub in the region.

As the debate continues, the Wa Municipal Assembly faces mounting pressure from various quarters to reconsider its plans, emphasizing the need to balance development with the preservation of cultural and educational heritage.

Source: Info Radio