Chiefs and residents of the Issa Traditional Area are calling for the immediate reversal of a decision to relocate the planned Ghana Education Service (GES) district office complex and official residence from Issa to Daffiama.
In a petition, Issa’s traditional leaders accused the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, led by Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing, of unlawfully diverting the educational project—allegedly under the influence of the Member of Parliament for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare.
Both Dr. Sandaare and Minister Lwanga Puozuing have strongly denied the allegations.
“Over 85% of government projects in the Upper West Region have been implemented exactly as planned, with none of their locations diverted,” Charles Lwanga Puozuing emphasized.
He added, “All decisions have been carried out in accordance with our established tendering procedures.”
Puozuing explained that expert committees oversee the tendering and evaluation process, and no single individual has the authority to redirect a project.
“I serve as the chairman of the entity and merely sign the award letters,” he clarified.
Mr. Charles Lwanga urged the people of Issa to remain calm amid tensions over the project.
“I want to assure my fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters in Issa to take heart. These projects were not originally intended for Issa. As we speak, we have already brought several other projects to the town. If it were up to me, I would not have redirected any—only one was moved,” he said.
The Issa community, however, maintains that the alleged relocation contravenes the Local Governance Act of 2016 (Act 936), which requires that administrative offices be located within the district capital.
“There is confusion, and that is why we are seeking clarification from the District Assembly today,” said Paramount Chief Naa Yelkuan Bawele II.
He stressed that the traditional councils stand united in urging the government to intervene and ensure the project is returned to its rightful district capital.
Handing over the petition to the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District Chief Executive, James Wor, Secretary to the Paramount Chief, Mr. Naa Bismark Bietuari, highlighted that the original tender documents clearly designated Issa as the site for the new complex.
He described the sudden redirection of the project as unjustified, warning that it could undermine the decades-long peaceful coexistence between the communities of Issa and Daffiama.
Community leaders also expressed concerns over persistent marginalization and financial inequalities within the district. They pointed to a sharp contrast in internally generated revenue, noting that Issa raised over GH₵102,000 last year compared to Daffiama’s GH₵3,800, yet Issa continues to be overlooked in development plans.
At present, the district’s GES office operates from Daffiama—a temporary arrangement made when the district was first established due to a lack of infrastructure. Local officials argue that this misplaced setup results in significant costs, as officials must travel extensively for meetings and administrative duties.
The chiefs issued a firm warning, stating that if the original contract terms are not upheld, they are prepared to pursue all legal avenues, including preventing contractors from accessing the new site.
District Chief Executive for DBI, James Wor, who received the petition, commended the chiefs and demonstrators for their peaceful approach and assured them that the concerns would be forwarded to the relevant authorities for resolution.
He called on the community to remain calm, stressing that unity is essential for development and that the issue should not create divisions among residents.