Teachers and students of Zangbalun RC Junior High School (JHS) in the Kumbungu district of the Northern Region were left stranded on Monday morning after the Zangbalun polling station chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) locked up their school over unpaid contract fees from the government.
The local Assembly reportedly owes the NPP chairman, Issahaku Osman, ¢69,400 for renovation work he completed after being contracted in 2021.
The renovation became necessary when a rainstorm severely damaged the school building.
The Assembly had promised to pay Osman upon the project’s completion, but after three years without payment, he locked up the facility to compel the Assembly to settle the debt.
Speaking to JoyNews, Osman explained that the District Chief Executive approached him in 2021, following an inspection of the storm damage.
The agreement was that Osman would renovate the building using his resources, and the Assembly would reimburse him from the common fund when it was disbursed.
Osman said he initially used his business funds to start the project but later took out a loan from Bonzali Rural Bank to complete the work, which included windows and painting.
“I used my business money to start the project. When it was left with the windows and painting, I ran out of funds, so I had to borrow to finish it,” he explained.
Osman added that once the renovation was completed, a team from the Assembly came to officially commission the building for use, but no payment was made.
“When I finished, the Assembly came here and commissioned it, even though they did not give me the money,” he stated.
He further disclosed that his business had collapsed because he invested everything he had into the school renovation.
Meanwhile, the school’s headteacher declined to comment when approached by JoyNews.
Latest Stories
-
FIFA unveil new trophy for 2025 Club World Cup
7 mins -
Akwatia chief predicts Mahama’s return to power will mirror Donald Trump’s comeback
11 mins -
Bawumia will be the next president of Ghana – Prophet William Braham
16 mins -
Honouring Jerry John Rawlings: A legacy of ethical leadership, development, and environmental stewardship
22 mins -
Herbert Mensah elected to World Rugby Executive Board
23 mins -
Shatta Wale’s girlfriend welcomes baby girl
25 mins -
AFCON 2025: ‘It’s very disappointing’ – Michail Antonio on Ghana’s potential failure to qualify
29 mins -
NLC secures injunction against Ghana Highway Authority industrial strike
42 mins -
Pencils of Promise commissions 3 Unit Classroom block for Adaklu Seva Basic School
49 mins -
Ghana Library Association embraces AI as it seeks to improve service delivery
51 mins -
2024 Election: Kumasi market Queens pledge to choose NPP gov’t
1 hour -
Full Supreme Court ruling on vacant seats controversy
1 hour -
MPs seat can only be vacated if they switch political parties in Parliament – Supreme Court
1 hour -
KMJ, Doreen Avio to host 2024 Ghana Music Awards UK
1 hour -
Severe water shortage hits two schools in Northern Region
1 hour