Ghana Chiefs Unite to Demand Equal Development for Region

Traditional leaders in Ghana's Upper West Region just proved that unity creates powerful change.

The newly formed Council of Sissala Paramount Chiefs held its first conference in Tumu, bringing together traditional leaders from five districts who serve communities that have long felt left behind in national development. For the first time, paramount chiefs from Sissala East, Sissala West, Wa East, Lambussie, and Daffiama-Bussie Issa sat together with one goal: secure equal resources for their people.

"The Council is united in its resolve to work together and engage government and stakeholders to secure an equal share of development for our communities," their official statement declared. Kuoro Professor Baduawali II, Paramount Chief of Welembelle, explained the council will serve as a unified voice to negotiate with government and development partners on critical needs.

The two-day gathering produced concrete demands across health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. The chiefs called for technical schools to train youth in vocational skills and STEM schools to improve access to modern education. They also highlighted a crisis in healthcare, asking authorities to increase disease surveillance after seeing rising cases of Hepatitis B and HIV.

Agriculture dominated much of the discussion. Farmers in the region recently harvested abundant maize crops but struggle to find buyers, threatening future planting seasons. While the government promised to purchase maize at 450 Ghanaian cedis, farmers cannot locate the official buyers. The council demanded clear grain buying centers so farmers know exactly where to sell their harvest.

The Ripple Effect

This coalition represents more than political advocacy. By uniting across traditional boundaries, the chiefs created a template for other marginalized regions seeking fair treatment. Their commitment to resolve conflicts through mediation rather than division strengthens social stability across all five districts.

The council elected Kuoro Professor Baduawali II as president, with leadership roles distributed among chiefs from different areas. Even the treasurer position went to Kapio Ali Maria, the Queen mother of Banu, showing inclusive representation. This power-sharing approach ensures no single district dominates the agenda.

The chiefs acknowledged government efforts on road construction under the "Big Push" program but asked for timely funding to meet completion deadlines. They also tackled youth substance abuse, calling for intensified crackdowns on illegal drugs threatening community stability.

District assemblies received requests for increased financial and logistical support, recognizing that traditional councils play vital roles in local governance yet often operate without adequate resources.

Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI, Paramount Chief of Tumu, urged council members to stay united and avoid internal divisions that could weaken their collective voice. His warning reflects the challenge ahead: maintaining solidarity while negotiating complex development priorities that may benefit some districts before others.

When traditional leaders choose collaboration over competition, entire regions gain the power to reshape their futures.