GH¢1.5m raised to renovate historic Wa Naa’s Palace

A fundraising event held in Wa, Ghana, has collected GH¢1.5 million towards the restoration of the historic Wa Naa’s Palace and the building of a contemporary conference center within its grounds. The event, organized by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, Chief of Dakagli in Waala State, was held at the Delagio Hotel and organized in collaboration with the Eco-Growth Development Initiatives Foundation.

The project is part of a larger Royal Heritage and Inner-City Redevelopment Project, which aims to maintain the palace’s traditional architecture while upgrading its facilities for modern administrative and cultural use.

The gathering included traditional leaders, judicial and religious figures, regional and local government officials, and other stakeholders. A documentary presentation showcased the progress of the multi-stage redevelopment project. Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, who chaired the event, pledged GH¢200,000 on behalf of himself, his law firm, Kulendi@Law, and associates.

He emphasized the significance of the Wa Naa’s Palace, stating that it is "the soul of our people, the custodian of our history, and the courtroom of our peace." He added that contemporary infrastructure is necessary to enable traditional authorities to effectively manage their responsibilities and accommodate visitors.

Naa Kadir Ibrahim, the Secretary to the Wa Naa and representative of the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area, Kuoro Sampou III, contributed GH¢200,000 personally. He stated, "Tonight is a statement of who we are. For generations, the palace has sheltered our identity, but today, it needs us to shelter it. You are not just donating to a building; you are investing in our shared heritage."

The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, highlighted the potential benefits of the redevelopment, including tourism growth, job creation, and investment in the region. He assured that modernity would not compromise the heritage of the palace, stating, “Cultural heritage is an economic asset capable of creating jobs, driving tourism, and attracting investment.”

The Regional Coordinating Council and local government officials contributed GH¢65,000, with GH¢10,000 coming from the Regional Coordinating Council and GH¢55,000 from municipal and district chief executives across the region. Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, the Catholic Bishop of the Wa Diocese, praised the initiative and urged residents and the diaspora to support the redevelopment effort.

Justice Kulendi concluded the event by encouraging continued contributions from corporations and individuals, assuring donors of transparency, accountability, and value for money in the project’s implementation.