Source: Mahama Latif
The chief of Santijan in the Sissala East municipality of the Upper West region, Kuoro Npiah Docta Kupuah has made a passionate appeal for the proposed Sisaala South District capital to be located at Nabulo, citing its central and strategically accessible position as vital for inclusive development.
He noted that situating the capital at a “natural meeting point” would ensure that no community is left behind in the governance process, as it would serve as a bridge connecting all corners of the proposed district.
Addressing a colourful ceremony on the occasion of the conferment of the Royal Kingship Medal at Santijan, Kuoro Npiah Docta Kupuah emphasized that the request for the creation of the Sisaala South District, carved out of the Sissala East Municipality, was born out of an “imperative necessity” to bridge persistent development gaps. He argued that a centrally located capital would bring administration closer to the people, enhance service delivery, and encourage active citizen participation.
“Nabulo stands, in every sense, as a natural meeting point—a place that connects rather than divides,” the Chief stated.
Using a traditional metaphor, he compared the location to the “centre pole of a traditional compound,” which holds every rope in place and binds the structure together. He cautioned that placing the capital at the extreme ends of the district—including his own community of Santijan—could create accessibility challenges and inadvertently marginalize other areas.
Kuoro Kupuah urged traditional authorities, political leaders, and civil society actors to rally behind the petition submitted to the President.
He stressed that leadership demands objectivity and fairness, noting that the goal is not to benefit one specific community, but to serve the collective interest of all inhabitants, including those in Challu, Sakalu, Sentie, and beyond.
The event, which brought together His Royal Highness the Tumu Kuoru, Divisional Chiefs, the Regional Minister, and various heads of departments, also served as a platform for the Chief to call for unity. He reminded the gathering that “a bundle of sticks cannot be broken,” urging traditional rulers to resolve differences amicably to ensure that peace—the “fertile soil in which progress grows”—remains the guiding principle of the area.
Beyond administrative reforms, Kuoro Kupuah also highlighted the urgent need for social amenities. He appealed to the government for the provision of electricity and road infrastructure for underserved communities like Santijan, Gbenebisi, and Kalaxi. According to him, these lifelines are essential for the socio-economic transformation of the area and for ensuring that the people of the Sisaala South enclave participate fully in national development.
