President John Dramani Mahama has moved to accelerate the redevelopment of Bawku with the inauguration of a five-member committee to oversee the newly allocated GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund.
The initiative is aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, restoring economic activity and reviving Bawku’s position as a major commercial centre following years of conflict that disrupted development and public services in the area.
The committee, chaired by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, includes Bawku Central MP and Minister-designate for Local Government, Religious and Chieftaincy Affairs Mahama Ayariga; Upper East Regional Minister Akamugri Donatus Atanga; Chief of Tempane, Naba Abugri Cletus Akolwin; and Garu MP Dr Thomas Winsum Anabah.
President Mahama said the fund was now ready for implementation following improvements in the security situation in Bawku and surrounding communities.
According to him, the relative calm in the area has created an opportunity for government to resume development projects that had been stalled by violence.
The President recalled that when government received the report of the Otumfuo Mediation Committee on Bawku on December 16, 2025, he declared that the guns had to be silenced and that the conflict would be addressed through constitutional and lawful processes, with outstanding traditional matters handled through customary channels.
He acknowledged the role of the security services in restoring stability, saying the reduction in gunshots and violent incidents had created conditions for residents to return to normal economic and social activities.
President Mahama said the prolonged conflict had also affected the deployment of essential public servants, including National Service personnel and medical workers, to the area.
He cited the Tamne Irrigation Dam project as one of the major developments affected by the insecurity. The project was stalled after an employee of the contractor was killed, forcing the company to withdraw from the area.
The President said the improved security situation would allow such projects to resume and deliver their intended benefits to Bawku and neighbouring districts.
He stressed that the GH¢1 billion fund would not be limited to a single project but would support infrastructure and other interventions identified by the committee as necessary for the revitalisation of Bawku and its surrounding areas.
The government expects the investment to help restore the town’s economic potential and reverse the development setbacks caused by the conflict.
Speaking on behalf of the Bawku Naba, Naba Abugri Cletus Akolwin welcomed the government’s investment, noting that years of conflict had left Bawku significantly deprived of infrastructure and economic activity.
He pledged the commitment of traditional leaders to sustaining the prevailing peace and creating an environment conducive to development.
The Chief also invited President Mahama to participate in a sod-cutting ceremony to mark the commencement of projects under the revitalisation programme.
He said the traditional authorities were prepared to work with government to ensure that the peace achieved in Bawku is sustained and translated into tangible development for residents.
