Is The Ndc Government Deliberately Suppressing The Growth Of The Larabanga Islamic Senior High School?

The Larabanga Islamic Senior High School, established in 2024 under the Nana Addo/Bawumia administration, is the most recent addition to the public Senior High Schools in the Savannah region. This school's creation fulfilled a promise made by Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia to the chief Imam and elders of the Larabanga community in November 2016, as he sought their prayers and support for the 2016 elections.

During the NPP's time in power, from 2017 until the school's establishment, local leaders like Mr. Saeed Muaz Jibril, the MCE, and Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor, the MP for the Damongo Constituency, worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. The school features a two-storey building with twelve classrooms, separate dormitory blocks for boys and girls, a modern administration block, and housing for teachers. Notably, electricity was extended from the Larabanga community to the school by Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor, enhancing its infrastructure.

Under the Nana Addo/Bawumia administration, the necessary steps were taken to ensure the school’s smooth operation. It was registered with the Ghana Education Service and was expected to receive the same benefits as other public senior high schools. A headmaster, teachers, an accountant, and a domestic bursar were all appointed, with the first batch of students being enrolled in October 2024 through the Computerized School Selection System for the 2024/2025 academic year.

However, since the NDC government took office in 2026, there have been concerning signs that the growth and development of Larabanga Islamic Senior High School are being stifled, potentially due to its affiliation with their political opponents. The school has not received any funding from the government for essential supplies and has been denied new infrastructural projects.

In a media engagement in November 2025, Savannah Regional Minister Lawyer Salisu Biawurbi outlined various infrastructure initiatives for public senior high schools across the region, yet Larabanga was notably absent from this list. Shortly after this announcement, projects were launched at several other schools mentioned by the minister, while Larabanga remained overlooked.

Historically, the Sawla Senior High School, established by the NDC in 2012, received significant support under the Nana Addo/Bawumia administration, including its conversion to a boarding school and other infrastructural developments. Similarly, the Mpaha Community Day School, which was incomplete when Nana Addo took office, was finished and operationalized under his leadership.

This raises pressing questions: Why is the Mahama-led administration seemingly neglecting the development of Larabanga Islamic Senior High School simply because it was established by their predecessors? Is it fair to let innocent children suffer due to political rivalry? Are they not aware that children from NDC-affiliated families also attend this school? A developed school benefits all children, regardless of their political ties.

In all of this, the Savannah Regional Director of Education, Mr. Bright A. Lawoe, deserves commendation for his commendable efforts in supporting the school's development.

By Iddi Adam Osman
Larabanga
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