President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated a four-member committee to oversee the disbursement of the GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund aimed at supporting development and rebuilding efforts in the area.
The committee was inaugurated at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following improvements in security in Bawku that the government says have created an opportunity for development projects to resume.
The committee is chaired by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. Its other members are Bawku Central MP and Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga; the Chief of Timpane, HRM Cletus Abugri; and Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga.
President Mahama said the GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund has already been allocated and will be used to support infrastructure and other interventions identified as necessary by the committee.
He explained that the improved security situation in Bawku has created the conditions needed for government to return its attention to development and ensure residents benefit from projects that had been stalled by prolonged insecurity.
President Mahama commended the security services for their efforts in restoring calm to the area, noting that reports of gunshots, murders and other violent incidents had reduced significantly.
“There was quite an eruption since then and I want to use this opportunity to commend the security services for remaining firm and taking action to make sure that Bawku becomes safe and secure again, so that people can go about their normal duties,” he said.
According to the President, Bawku is now safer and quieter, with residents able to resume their normal activities without the fear that previously characterised the area.
“It’s taken quite some time but I’m happy to receive the reports that Bawku is safer, it’s quieter, we don’t hear gunshots again at night, the kind of murders that took place with impunity have abated,” he said.
He said the government’s decision to establish the Bawku Revitalisation Fund was informed by the need to take advantage of the improved security situation and accelerate development in the area.
The President expressed hope that the committee would ensure that the fund benefits as many districts within the Bawku area as possible.
He said the resources would not be limited to a single intervention but would cover infrastructure and other areas that the committee considers important to the revitalisation of the area.
“The allocation for the Bawku Revitalization Fund has been made and it is 1 billion Ghana Cedis but I’m happy that now we have the opportunity to go back and continue the development so that the people of the area would benefit from all the projects that we’ve been doing,” President Mahama stated.
He further said the ultimate objective is to help Bawku regain its position as one of Ghana’s important commercial centres and ensure that residents receive their fair share of national development.
“So, today we’ve gathered to inaugurate the committee that will be steering the Revitalization Fund. It will go to provision of infrastructure and any other, you know, areas that the committee deems fit and we expect that as many districts within the Bawku area will benefit from the Revitalization Fund,” he added.
The inauguration marks the next phase of the government’s plans to support the recovery and development of Bawku following years of instability. The committee is expected to guide the allocation of the GH¢1 billion fund and identify priority projects that can contribute to restoring economic activity and improving living conditions in the area.
By:Rachael Djabakie