Hundreds of parents, teachers, old and current students of Kurabaso Junior High School in Damongo took to the streets in a peaceful match to register their displeasure over ongoing encroachment on the school’s land. The protest follows an escalating dispute involving a proposed school building project, which has been stalled due to resistance from a local resident and sub-chief.
According to the concerned parents, old students and teachers, the West Gonja Municipal Assembly recently awarded a contract for the construction of a three-unit classroom block to address overcrowding and the deteriorating state of the school’s existing classrooms. However, construction has faced resistance because the selected location for the new classroom block is currently occupied by a resident operating a drinking spot. The said resident, backed by a sub-chief known as Chief Sakara, has vehemently opposed the construction despite land documents proving the land belongs to the school.
The chairman of the School Management Committee (SMC), Mr. Mathew, expressed his frustration and concern to the general public, stating that the encroachment not only hinders educational development but also sets a dangerous precedent of disrespect for the institution’s right to land.
In a move to resolve the issue amicably, the School Management Committee (SMC), Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and Old Students Association submitted a formal petition to two prominent traditional authorities: Ngbaripewura Bonyang and Damongowura Seidu Kelley Boresa I.
The petition highlights the following key points:
Kurabaso Junior High School, established several decades ago and formally named in 1987 during the New Educational Reform, occupies approximately eight acres of land.
The school’s land shares boundaries with the Agricultural Depot, the weekly market, and the Holistic Mission Church.
Over the years, portions of the school land have been gradually encroached upon, and the current dispute involves a confirmed school property as per land documents.
The petition calls on the Damongowura to intervene and address the ongoing dispute involving Chief Sakara, who is alleged to be obstructing construction efforts on the school land.
Caution sub-chiefs to desist from activities that tarnish the image of the traditional leadership and deny the school its rightful resources.
Ensure that work on the new classroom block commences without further delay to improve the learning environment for the students.
The stakeholders emphasized that if the dispute is not resolved, they will explore all legal avenues to protect the school’s interest.
Following the submission of the petition, both the Ngbaripewura and the Damongowura have assured the concerned stakeholders to remain calm as steps are being taken to resolve the land issue immediately. The chiefs reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the school receives what is rightfully due to it.
The peaceful match and subsequent petition underscore the growing frustration of parents, teachers, and students of Kurabaso Junior High School. With the intervention of traditional authorities and the cooperation of all stakeholders, it is expected that the dispute will be resolved promptly to pave the way for the much-needed construction of additional classrooms.
The school community remains hopeful that their voices have been heard and that education in Kurabaso will not be compromised.
Gogu Edwin
