The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has cut the sod for the construction of an ultra-modern ceremonial conference hall at the Wa Naa Palace.
He has described the project as a major step towards preserving cultural heritage and attracting investment to the Upper West region.
The project, which is being funded through private mobilisation efforts led by the Speaker and his team, is expected to provide a befitting meeting and conference facility for the Wa Naa and traditional authorities to host visitors, investors and important engagements.
Addressing chiefs, opinion leaders and residents at the ceremony in Wa on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Bagbin said the initiative formed part of a broader vision to transform the regional capital, Wa into an attractive destination for investors and visitors.
Quoting a local proverb, he noted that “the visitor brings development,” stressing the need to create a welcoming environment that would encourage investment and economic growth across the Upper West and the northern regions.
“We aspire to turn Wa into an attractive and welcoming city that can host important visitors. Investors who come to the region must first pay homage to the traditional authorities, especially the Wa Naa, and therefore there is a need for a befitting place to receive them,” he said.
The Speaker indicated that the project was a practical demonstration of promises made during the launch of the Shea Park Industrial Resources initiative earlier this year.
According to him, the commencement of work barely four months after the launch showed a commitment to action rather than rhetoric.
“We are not making promises. The contractor is already on site. We mean business,” he declared.
The speaker revealed that funds for the project had already been mobilised, allowing construction to begin immediately without delays often associated with public procurement processes.
He expressed optimism that, barring unforeseen circumstances such as heavy rains, the facility could be completed in time for this year’s Dumba Festival.
The Speaker described the project as a “transgenerational act” whose benefits would be enjoyed by future generations, adding that the development represented the second major facelift of the historic Wa Naa Palace in more than 500 years.
He assured residents and cultural heritage advocates that the new structure would preserve the palace’s original Sudanese architectural design and would not undermine ongoing efforts to secure recognition of the palace as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He cautioned against disputes and conflicts that could delay the project, emphasising that peace remained a prerequisite for development.
In a speech read on behalf of the Overlord of the Wala State, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, by his secretary, Jinpenhi Naa Kadri Ibrahim, the Wa Naa described the sod-cutting ceremony as a historic milestone for the Wala State.
He said the conference hall would strengthen the palace’s capacity to host traditional, social, cultural, political and development-related activities for generations to come.
The Wa Naa commended Bagbin for what he described as his unwavering commitment to the development of the Upper West Region.
“Today’s project further demonstrates his enduring commitment to preserving our heritage while promoting development,” the statement said.
The traditional ruler also paid tribute to the project advisor and supervisor, Prof. Kwame Addo, for his dedication and professionalism in conceptualising and overseeing the project.
Prof. Kwame Henaku Addo, speaking at the ceremony, said planning for the project began in the last quarter of 2024 and was driven by the belief that sustainable development must be rooted in cultural and traditional institutions.
He urged residents to support the initiative and appreciate its long-term significance for future generations.
The ceremony attracted various traditional leaders including Chiefs, Queens, community members, Party supters, and development stakeholders, who expressed optimism that the project would enhance the status of the Wa Naa Palace while contributing to tourism, investment promotion and socio-economic development in the region.
By Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara
