A fundraising gala in Wa has raised GH¢1.5 million in cash and pledges towards the refurbishment of the historic Wa Naa’s Palace and the construction of an ultra-modern conference facility within its precincts.

The initiative, held at the Delagio Hotel in Wa, was organised under the auspices of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who is also the Chief of Dakagli in the Waala State, in partnership with the Eco-Growth Development Initiatives Foundation.

It forms part of the broader Royal Heritage and Inner-City Redevelopment Project, which seeks to preserve the palace’s traditional architecture while upgrading its facilities for contemporary administrative and cultural purposes.

The event brought together traditional rulers, judicial officers, religious leaders, regional and local government officials and other stakeholders.

A video documentary presented at the gala highlighted progress made on the multi-phase redevelopment project.

The Chairman of the occasion, Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, pledged GH¢200,000 on behalf of himself, his law firm, Kulendi@Law, and associates.

He described the palace as central to the identity and heritage of the people of Wa.

“The Wa Naa’s Palace is more than just a residence; it is the soul of our people, the custodian of our history, and the courtroom of our peace,” Justice Kulendi said.

He added that modern infrastructure was needed to enable traditional authorities to effectively conduct their administrative responsibilities and host visitors.

The Secretary to the Wa Naa, Naa Kadir Ibrahim, who represented the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area, Kuoro Sampou III, announced a personal contribution of GH¢200,000 from the Wa Naa.

“Tonight is a statement of who we are. For generations, the palace has sheltered our identity, but today, it needs us to shelter it. You are not just donating to a building; you are investing in our shared heritage,” Naa Kadir said.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, said the redevelopment could contribute to tourism, job creation and investment in the region.

“Modernity must serve heritage without destroying its soul. Cultural heritage is an economic asset capable of creating jobs, driving tourism, and attracting investment,” he said.

On behalf of the Regional Coordinating Council and local government administration, Mr Puozuing announced a combined contribution of GH¢65,000, comprising GH¢10,000 from the Regional Coordinating Council and GH¢55,000 from Municipal and District Chief Executives across the region.

The Catholic Bishop of the Wa Diocese, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, also commended the initiative and encouraged residents and members of the diaspora to support the redevelopment effort.

Justice Kulendi, in closing the gala, said the fundraising campaign remained open to further contributions from corporate organisations and individuals.

He assured donors that the project would be implemented with transparency, accountability and value for money.

Historic palace

The Wa Naa’s Palace is located in the heart of Wa and serves as the traditional seat of the Wa Naa, the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area.

The palace is recognised for its traditional mud-brick, Sudano-Sahelian architectural style, reflecting influences associated with the wider Sahel and Sudan regions.

Beyond its role as a royal residence, the palace serves as an important centre for cultural, political, religious and social activities within the Waala traditional area.

The redevelopment initiative is therefore aimed at preserving the palace’s heritage while providing facilities that can support the contemporary administrative and cultural functions of the traditional authority.