President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a committee to oversee the disbursement of the GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund will be inaugurated next week to support the reconstruction and development of the area.
The fund will focus mainly on improving roads, bridges and healthcare infrastructure as part of efforts to restore economic activity and improve living conditions in Bawku.
President Mahama made the announcement at the Resetting Ghana Citizens’ Engagement in Bolgatanga on August 14.
“I promise one billion Cedis for the Bawku Revitalization Fund. I’m happy to announce that next week I’m inaugurating the committee. But even before we have inaugurated the committee, some work has started on Bawku town roads, on some health facilities and others,” he said.
The President said work had already begun on some township roads and health facilities despite the committee not yet being formally inaugurated.
He explained that a significant portion of the Bawku Revitalisation Fund would be directed towards the road and health sectors.
“We’re devoting the bulk of the money to the health sector and the road sector. We want to improve the road network, the bridges in the Bawku area, so that traders and others, farmers can move their goods and services easily. And then also improve the healthcare in the area,” President Mahama said.
As part of the healthcare plans, the government intends to complete one of the Agenda 111 hospitals in the area and construct another hospital in Bawku.
President Mahama also expressed optimism about the relative calm currently prevailing in Bawku, saying sustained peace would be critical to the town’s recovery.
“Bawku is finally calm. The guns have stopped sounding, and people are beginning to go about their business,” he said.
He said continued peace could help Bawku regain its position as a major commercial centre and encourage residents who left the area because of the conflict to return.
The President noted that the instability had affected the provision of essential services, with teachers and health professionals leaving the area. He also said the government was previously unable to post national service personnel and doctors to Bawku because of the security situation.
President Mahama expressed hope that the improved security situation would create the conditions needed for Bawku to return to its former level of economic and social activity.
He commended traditional authorities and residents for their efforts to maintain peace and also praised the Inspector-General of Police and other security personnel for what he described as significant improvements in security across the Upper East Region.
According to the President, incidents including motorbike snatching, armed robbery and other forms of crime have reduced considerably.
The inauguration of the committee is expected to provide a formal framework for implementing the Bawku Revitalisation Fund and advancing the government’s plans to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen healthcare and revive economic activity in the area.
By : Rachael Djabakie