A prominent politician in the Savannah Region has become the focus of a heated land dispute after allegedly attempting to claim part of the Falahiyat Primary School land in Damongo for the construction of his private residence.
Spear FM has gathered credible information that the politician, who is the Savannah Regional Chairman of one of the major political parties, reportedly purchased the school land from a private individual in Damongo. He is alleged to be preparing to demolish the school’s teachers’ quarters to pave the way for his personal building project.
The development has triggered strong resistance from community leaders, teachers, and the Assembly Member for the DASS Electoral Area, where the school is located. They have vowed to resist any encroachment, warning that the act threatens the existence of the long-standing educational facility.
Sources further indicate that an officer from the West Gonja Municipal Town and Country Planning Department allegedly re-demarcated the school land, reducing its size on the general site plan to enable private individuals to acquire portions of it.
Falahiyat Primary School, which has served the community for many years, is regarded as one of the best-performing basic schools in the area, producing brilliant students who feed into Kurabaso Junior High School.
In a worrying twist, information reaching Spear FM suggests that both the Savannah Regional Minister and the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) are reluctant to intervene, reportedly fearing they may lose their positions due to the influence of the politician involved.
Elders of Yagbonkura are now appealing to the Yagbonwura, the Damongowura, and the general public to intervene and stop the attempted takeover of the school’s land.
The situation remains tense as stakeholders await decisive action to safeguard the educational institution.
In a phone interview on Spear Fm’s Savannah Nde Super Morning Show, the Assembly Member for the DASS Electoral Area, Hon. Hafiz Kamara Sumaila (Koptic), explained that the land dispute began about a year and a half ago when reports emerged that a private developer was preparing to develop part of the school land which he immediately convened an emergency PTA and SMC meeting to address the matter.
According to him, checks revealed that the politician behind the alleged encroachment was Alhaji Seidu Imoro (Man Blessing), the Savannah Regional Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). Though not officially confirmed by the chairman himself, the Assembly Member said their investigations indicated that he acquired the land with the help of Alhaji Mahama Abu Salange.
He added that their findings were further supported by the NDC Constituency Chairman for Damongo, popularly known as Chairman Trouble, who confirmed that the Regional Chairman engaged him regarding activities on the land, including depositing sand for further development.
Hon. Hafiz stated that when they confronted the Constituency Chairman, he condemned the alleged encroachment and also vowed to protect the school land. However, he noted that the chairman suggested that the Regional Chairman should be refunded if efforts were to be made to stop the project. He added that the Secretary to the Damongowura, Mr. Seidu Kelly, also condemned the encroachment.
The Assembly Member disclosed that the politician purportedly purchased the land in 2023/2024, and despite several attempts to stop activities on the site, including block moulding and a recent attempt by an excavator to clear and demolish structures the issue persists.
“We have stopped them before, and we will stop them again. You cannot take a community school land and expect us to fold our arms,” Hon. Hafiz stressed.
He said a formal complaint has been lodged at the Damongowura’s Palace for resolution and that they are prepared to use all legal avenues to stop the encroachment, including petitioning the Yagbonwura, King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, if the matter is not resolved at the Damongowura’s palace.
“If the palace does not resolve this matter, we will petition the Yagbonwura himself. We are determined because this land belongs to our children and unborn generations,” he emphasized.
When asked about accusations against officials of the West Gonja Municipal Town and Country Planning Department regarding the re-demarcation of the school land, he admitted the concerns and alleged that the issue extends beyond Falahiyat School to the entire Damongo township.
“This is not the only land affected. The whole of Damongo has issues, but we will tackle them one after the other,” he noted.
Hon. Hafiz Kamara concluded by calling on all stakeholders to unite. “I am appealing to the chiefs, the youth, community members, and the media — let us all come together and defend what belongs to us. Falahiyat Primary must be protected at all costs,” he said.
As the controversy unfolds, one thing remains clear, this is more than a land dispute, it is a test of leadership, morality, and community solidarity. The outcome will determine whether powerful individuals can override communal rights, or whether unity will safeguard a school that has nurtured generations. The people of Damongo now stand at a crossroads. Will they allow silence to enable encroachment, or will they rise to defend the future of their children?
For many, the message is simple and resounding, “A school is not just land, it is hope, legacy, and the future of a community”.
