President John Mahama has directed the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to establish a GHC1 billion fund to redevelop Bawku, the Upper East Regional capital.
This is to help rebuild the town after years of conflict has destroyed most public infrastructure in the area.
“Insecurity over the years has severely constrained public and private investment and stalled critical infrastructure development. In response, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to establish a One Billion Ghana Cedi (GHS1,000,000,000) Bawku Revitalisation Fund,” Spokesperson for the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu said in a press release dated December 17.
The statement was issued on the back of the Bawku conflict mediation report submitted by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to President Mahama on December 16.
Mr Ofofu explained that “The Fund which shall be disbursed over a three-year period between 2026 and 2028, will be dedicated to the reconstruction and development of priority infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, education, dam and irrigation facilities for all-year-round agriculture, security installations, and economic and commercial facilities, to restore Bawku to its historic position as a significant economic and trading hub in Northern Ghana.”
He added that, “The Fund shall be managed by a high-level Committee Chaired by The Minister for Finance, Hon. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, who also serves as Acting Minister for Defence.
Other Members of the Committee are;
• The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Donaltus Akamuguri; and
• The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central Constituency who will represent MPs from the area.
The Government called on all traditional authorities, political leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, religious bodies, development partners, and the broader citizenry to support the peace-building and reconciliation process in the spirit of unity, restraint, and patriotism.
“Government reiterates the admonition of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II that there are no winners and no losers in this process. His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama, urges all parties to accept and faithfully abide by the conclusions and recommendations of the Mediation Report in the supreme interest of peace and national stability,” the statement further indicated.
It added that, “Government expresses its profound gratitude to His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, The Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga II, the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, and all individuals, institutions, and stakeholders whose goodwill, cooperation, and commitment contributed to the success of this historic mediation process.”
