While praising the “speed and quality” of new dams, DCE Hon James Wor addresses youth boycott over controversial centre, vowing to “do it proper.”
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District, Hon James Wor, has officially handed over a series of completed projects to several communities.
as I stand now if anybody tell me this place is information center, I will totally disagree with the person. It is a Youth Center, that is what we have on documentation
The new infrastructure, which was met with excitement in most areas, includes CHPS compounds at Moyiri and Samanbo, a KG Block at Dobaziiri, an Industrial Cottage in Daffiama, and dams at Kojokperi and Tabiasi.
However, on Thursday, 23 October 2025, the handover of a new Youth Centre in Issa was marked by controversy, drawing sharp criticism from both local youth and the DCE himself.
Controversy at Issa Youth Centre
Community members gathered in Issa to receive the new Youth Centre. Still, the DCE was met with reactions from local youth who, according to the report by the youth president, “refused to be part of the ceremony due to poor construction of the project.”
Hon James Wor publicly validated their frustrations, expressing his own disappointment in the contractor’s performance.
“Me myself, I am not happy with the way the work is done. For me I want to set the records straight, for me as I stand now if anybody tell me this place is information center, I will totally disagree with the person. It is a Youth Center, that is what we have on documentation. I don’t want anyone to hold me accountable one day that I was part of this project and this is what I said. No!” he added.
Failed Radio Station Deal Explained
The DCE further explained that the project’s issues were compounded by a failed plan to add a radio station to the facility. He noted the building was already delayed for over 18 months. When the assembly asked the contractor to proceed with installing the radio equipment, the contractor returned with a budget variation of over 100%, forcing the assembly to cancel that part of the deal.
We now want to repackage, and we also look at the kind of machines they wanted to put, it wouldn’t have served the purpose
“The contractor, when we gave him the green light (for the radio equipment) came back with a different package which is more than 100% of the initial amount, and we don’t have the right to vary a contract more than 10% and so based on that, we terminated the contract,” he explained to the gathering.
He assured the community that the project would be rectified to meet its intended purpose as a proper centre for the district capital.
“We now want to repackage, and we also look at the kind of machines they wanted to put, it wouldn’t have served the purpose, so there is the need, if we say we are going to establish a radio station, let’s just do it proper,” he assured.
The Assembly member for the area, Hon. Ernest Kansanbata, thanked the DCE for his assurance of future development.
High Praise for Kojokperi Dam
In sharp contrast, the handover of a new dam at Kojokperi was a celebratory affair. The DCE lauded the contractor for delivering a high-quality project on schedule, which is expected to support livestock and future irrigation farms.
I can put on record that among all the SOCO projects in the district, this is the project that the contractor has attached speed and too much quality to the work
“I am particularly happy because this dam was started this year and it got completed. I can put on record that among all the SOCO projects in the district, this is the project that the contractor has attached speed and too much quality to the work. When I inspected it I was very very proud,” he said to applause.
He assured the community that if the dam is used effectively, an irrigation component would be added to augment rainy-season farming. He described the residents as deeply committed to agriculture.
“The Kojokperi community, I must admit, is a very serious community and they take farming activities very serious, and so whatever we would to enhance farming, and for that matter, dry season farming, using the dam is very laudable and I am very happy. I thank the contractor and I thank the people of kojoperi,” he concluded.
A similar dam was also handed over to the Tabiasi community.
All projects were funded by the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion Project (SOCO), which aims to improve the social and economic resilience of border communities in northern Ghana.
