UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
BY: ATUIMAH VALERIOUS
A coalition of youth, women’s groups, and the traditional councils in Sumbrungu, under the auspices of the Sumbrungu Youth and Development Association, staged a demonstration on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, to voice their grievances against the leadership of the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU). The protest highlighted long-standing issues concerning land agreements, sanitation, and what they describe as a disrespectful posture from the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa.
The demonstration, which included a float through the principal street off the Bolga-Navrongo road in Sumbrungu, to the Technical University, and back to the Women’s Centre Resource Centre, saw a significant turnout of key personalities. Representatives from the Sumbrungu chief, the chief of Yebongo, the chief of Kolbia, the Kolgo chief, and the Guse chief were present, alongside elders, women groups like Sumbrungu Sumasum, Asalkizi (also known as PAVWA, or peace advocates and voluntary organizations, and Apebukun, as well as various youth groups and the association of widows in Sumbrungu.
A key focus of the protest was the alleged abandonment of a 440-plot (10-acre) land area by BTU, which the community willingly provided for the university’s expansion. Mr. Albert Adongo, president of the SUMDAM group, stated that the process of acquiring the land began smoothly but was abruptly halted by the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alnaa, who wrote a letter to abandon the land without a tangible reason. The community fears that with ongoing development in Sumbrungu, land will become scarce, hindering future expansion of the university. Prior arrangements were made with the police for the peaceful protest.
The group’s petition, read by the group’s president, Mr. Albert Adongo, detailed four major concerns:
- Abrogation of the Sumbrungu-Agose Land Agreement:The petition states that since assuming office in 2017, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa has disregarded the mutual respect between BTU and the Sumbrungu community. A 2013 agreement for the university to acquire 440 plots of land at 2,000 Ghana cedis per plot for future expansion was abandoned without justification by Professor Alnaa. In 2023, the Vice-Chancellor proposed paying the 2013 price in five-year installments. When landowners suggested a modest increase to 2,500 Ghana cedis per plot, Professor Alnaa allegedly responded by extending the payment period to 10 years, which the community views as economically exploitative and insulting. There are also concerns that BTU may abandon its annexed campus, rendering the community’s sacrifice meaningless.
2. Sanitation Crisis: The community highlighted an open, unsanitary gutter running through the campus into Sumbrungu, which breeds mosquitoes, emits foul odors, and contaminates the environment, posing severe public health risks. Despite years of complaints, the BTU management has reportedly failed to address the issue.
3. Systematic Exclusion from Employment Opportunities:The community claims that an initial agreement to prioritize Sumbrungu residents for menial and low-ranking jobs has been disregarded. Out of over 70 such workers, only 17 are from Sumbrungu, and there is no replacement opportunity when a community member retires or dies. Additionally, qualified Sumbrungu members with higher education degrees are allegedly denied employment as lecturers or senior administrative staff, while “outsiders” fill these roles.
4. Disrespect Towards Sumbrungu Traditional Leadership:The petition accused Professor Alnaa of refusing to consult chiefs on university programs or employment opportunities, summoning them like “subordinates” using community members as messengers instead of official invitations, and undermining their authority.
The association presented a list of demands, including employment equity with a quota system for Sumbrungu residents in both academic and non-academic jobs, a transparent recruitment process, an immediate sanitation emergency plan, fair land compensation for the 440 plots at a revised value, a public commitment from BTU to retain the Sumbrungu-Agose land, and management reforms with transparent investigations into project management and staff accountability. Crucially, the group is demanding the immediate removal of Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa as Vice-Chancellor to restore trust and accountability.
Following the reading of the press statement, the group proceeded to the BTU premises to deliver the petition. In the absence of the Vice-Chancellor or any administrative representative, the petition was handed to Mr. Raymond Anyimbillah, BTU’s head of security.
Subsequently, the group paid a courtesy visit to the Regional Minister, Honorable Donatus Akamugri Atanga, to present another copy of the petition. The Regional Minister, Hon Akamugri acknowledged the peaceful nature of the demonstration, commending the organizers and chiefs for their approach. He assured the group that he had received the petition on behalf of the President and the government, and would initiate necessary measures for engagement to resolve the issues. The Minister expressed happiness that the community was advocating for the acquisition of the land for the university’s future expansion, rather than demanding its return, highlighting the community’s commitment to the institution. He pledged to engage with the management to understand the reasons for the inability to pay for the land and work towards a resolution, emphasizing that institutions are seeking land for development. The Minister concluded by promising to get back to the chiefs within the shortest possible time regarding the approach to address their concerns.
The Sumbrungu Youth and Development Association is led by an executive structure including Mr. Albert Adongu as President and Chairman, Michael Abelga as Vice, James Akokukwe as Organizer, Grace Adiyilson as Deputy Organizer, Kate Kamar as Treasurer, Daniela Nabila as Secretary, and Gilbert Adatare as Deputy Secretary.
The group warned that if their demands are ignored, they will escalate their protests through legal actions, media campaigns, and nationwide advocacy, vowing not to rest until justice is served. They urged the government to intervene before the neglect sparks unrest and called upon the media to amplify their voice.
