Former Deputy Health Minister and Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has strongly criticised the demolition of the Tendamba Primary School in Sokpayiri in the Upper West Region to pave way for the construction of a proposed 24-hour economy market under the government’s flagship programme.
The lawmaker described the situation as “sickening,” questioning the government’s priorities in pursuing market infrastructure at the expense of critical social services such as education and healthcare.
“The desperation to build these 24-hour markets all over the country as against other social services like hospitals and schools is so sickening. How do you pull down a whole school just to make way for a 24-hour market?” Mr. Acquah quizzed.
The MP further suggested that President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, are reportedly unhappy with the development, but questioned who should ultimately take responsibility for the decision.
“Anyway, I hear President JDM and the Local Government Minister are not happy. Na who cause am?” he wrote on Facebook.
Mr. Acquah’s comments follow the demolition of the historic Tendamba Primary School in Sokpayiri, a suburb of Wa, by authorities to clear land for the Wa Municipal Assembly’s section of the proposed 24-hour economy market project.
The demolition exercise, which reportedly took place in the early hours of Saturday, June 13, 2026, brought to an end months of controversy, legal disputes, community protests and traditional mediation efforts surrounding the fate of the school.
Established in 1956, Tendamba Primary School has long been regarded as one of the oldest and most symbolic educational institutions in the Sokpayiri community.
Beyond its academic role, many residents considered the school a significant part of the area’s heritage and identity.
The school is also known for producing several distinguished personalities, including Supreme Court Judge, Justice Yuoni Kulendi.
However, the decision has sparked widespread opposition from sections of the Sokpayiri community, particularly landlords and opinion leaders, who argue that authorities failed to adequately engage stakeholders before taking the decision.
Critics of the demolition have questioned why alternative land could not have been identified for the market project instead of sacrificing an educational facility that has served generations of residents for nearly seven decades.
The development continues to generate intense public debate, with many Ghanaians expressing concern over the balance between infrastructure expansion and the preservation of key social institutions such as schools.
By 1960news.com
