Zangbalun NPP Chairman Locks Up School Block Over Unpaid Government Contract
Zangbalun, Ghana – November 13, 2024
In an unexpected move that has sparked public debate and concern, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) chairman for Zangbalun, Mr. Sulemana Yakubu, has reportedly locked up a newly constructed school block, preventing students from using the facility. The incident stems from the chairman’s frustration over an unpaid government contract related to the construction, which he claims has been pending for months.
According to Mr. Yakubu, he oversaw the completion of the school block project in early 2024 as part of a government initiative to improve educational infrastructure in Zangbalun. However, despite repeated follow-ups, he claims he has yet to receive payment from the government, forcing him into financial difficulty. “I was assured of prompt payment once the project was completed,” Mr. Yakubu said in an interview. “Yet here we are, almost a year later, and I haven’t seen a single cedi from the promised funds.”
Local residents were taken aback when they arrived at the school on Monday morning only to find the gates locked. The students, many of whom had anticipated resuming their studies in the improved environment, were left standing outside, confused and disappointed. Concerned parents expressed frustration over the situation, with some accusing the chairman of using the students as leverage in his financial dispute with the government.
“This is not the way to handle a dispute,” said Alhaji Ibrahim Amadu, a parent of one of the affected students. “Our children’s education should not be interrupted because of an administrative issue. We urge the chairman and the government to find an amicable solution.”
The school block in question is a multi-purpose facility intended to accommodate nearly 200 students. The project, initiated under the government's infrastructure development plan, aimed to address the shortage of classrooms in Zangbalun, a rural community that has struggled with inadequate educational facilities for years.
In response to the lock-up, local educational authorities condemned the chairman’s actions, calling them detrimental to students’ educational prospects. District Education Officer Madam Felicia Ansah expressed her dismay, stating, “We understand Mr. Yakubu’s frustration, but this approach ultimately punishes innocent students. We are working with all parties involved to resolve the situation and restore access to the school.”
Mr. Yakubu defended his actions, arguing that he had exhausted all options in attempting to recover the outstanding payment and that the delay had created financial hardships for his construction business. “This school was built with local materials and labor, and I haven’t been able to pay some of the workers who helped complete the project,” he said.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism from both local and national leaders, who stress the importance of education in the community. Civil society organizations in the region are urging the government to intervene promptly and settle the payment to avoid further disruptions. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited debates around contract payment delays and the impact on contractors, with some arguing that such delays undermine trust in government-led development projects.
Efforts are reportedly underway to open negotiations between Mr. Yakubu, the District Assembly, and officials from the Ministry of Education. For now, however, the school block remains inaccessible, leaving the future of Zangbalun’s students in uncertainty.
The Ministry of Education has yet to release an official statement on the issue.
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