The Tendembas (landlords) of Wa Sokpayiri, and owners of the Tendamba Basic schools’ land in the Upper West Region have expressed strong opposition to a proposal that seeks to convert the 70-year-old Tendamba Basic school into a 24-hour economy market.
They contend that this will disrupt teaching and learning.
“We are concerned that the proposed conversion of the School into a 24-hour market will disrupt effective teaching and learning, create inconvenience and expose both pupils and teachers to safety and security issues,” they stated.
Addressing a press conference in Wa on Tuesday, 10th February, 2026, spokesperson for the landlords, Ibrahim Abu Sunkari, mentioned that they were not consulted before the proposal was made, despite being critical stakeholders.
They emphasised that the school, established in 1956, serves as a vital part of the community’s educational heritage and cultural identity.
“We are not opposed to the government’s policy of establishing a 24-Hour economy market, since we are committed to the economic development of our community, region and nation as a whole, but the choice of location is a concern,” the landlords clarified.
The landlords said they are of the view that the said demolition will result in the destruction and in extreme cases, loss of historical and public records as well as documents, which former pupils may in future require for academic or other references.
Adding that “there are alternative sites available, and demolishing the school will not only disrupt teaching and learning, but also create safety issues, and weaken our sense of identity and pride as Tendamba.”
The landlords proposed alternative sites for the market, including unused educational land at Kpaguri, the Metro Mass Transit station, the Meteorological Service station and its dilapidated quarters, and the land behind the former Ghana Cotton Company.
They urged the Wa Municipal Assembly to consider renovating and upgrading the schools instead.
The landlords appealed to the media to draw national attention to the issue and to hold the relevant authorities accountable for any decision affecting the schools.
By Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara
