BONABOTO commends government, welcomes decision on Bolga Airport
Members of the Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo (BONABOTO), drawn from home and the diaspora, have commended the Government for allocating funds in the 2026 budget for the construction of the Bolgatanga Airport, while appealing for urgent attention to road infrastructure, education, chieftaincy disputes and regional connectivity.
The appeals were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of BONABOTO’s Silver Jubilee Congress held from December 29 to 31, 2025, at Damolg–Tindongo.
The congress was held on the theme “Celebrating Our Legacy, Unity, Advocacy, Culture, and Impact – The Journey Continues!”
The congress brought together members from home and the diaspora to review BONABOTO’s advocacy efforts over the years, examine development challenges confronting the Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo areas, and assess their collective contribution to the socio-economic development of the Upper East Region and northern Ghana.
25 years of congresses
In a communiqué signed by the National President of BONABOTO, Professor Samuel Awinkene Atintono, and the association said that the Silver Jubilee Congress marked 25 years of organising its national congresses from 2001 to 2025.
It added that the congress also charted a forward-looking agenda anchored on partnerships with the Government and other stakeholders to promote sustainable development, social cohesion and improved living standards within the BONABOTO area.
The association said it was committed to working with the Government as a development partner through constructive engagement, advocacy and community mobilisation to promote development in the BONABOTO area, the Upper East Region and the northern regions of Ghana.
Bolgatanga Airport
BONABOTO applauded the Government for making budgetary provision in the 2026 fiscal year for the construction of the Bolgatanga Airport, describing the decision as a significant milestone in addressing a critical infrastructure gap in the Upper East Region.
The association said it had consistently advocated for the airport for more than 20 years and stating that the project would stimulate economic growth, enhance trade and commerce, facilitate medical evacuations, strengthen supply chains, boost tourism and improve regional and national connectivity.
The communiqué urged Government to demonstrate commitment by ensuring that actual construction work begins in 2026 so that the budgetary allocation translates into tangible progress on the ground.
Bawku Conflict
Highlighting on the conflict at Bawku, the communiqué commended Government for the steps taken toward resolving the protracted Bawku conflict, which has for years affected lives, livelihoods and development in parts of the Upper East Region.
BONABOTO acknowledged the security, mediation and peacebuilding interventions aimed at restoring calm and stability to Bawku and its surrounding communities.
It said the conflict had disrupted economic activities, restricted movement, affected access to education and healthcare, and created insecurity for residents.
The association stressed that sustainable peace in Bawku was critical to the overall security and development of the Upper East Region.
It encouraged Government to sustain dialogue with traditional authorities, community leaders, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to consolidate the gains made and prevent a recurrence of violence.
Infrastructure
BONABOTO appealed for Government to prioritise the construction and rehabilitation of internal roads within the Bolgatanga Municipality and across the BONABOTO area.
The association said the poor state of roads continued to impede socio-economic activities, affect agricultural productivity and limit access to markets, healthcare and educational facilities.
It called for adequate budgetary allocations in subsequent fiscal years for comprehensive road construction and maintenance programmes to improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of goods and services, and enhance the quality of life of residents.
Gurene as Examinable Subject
The congress called for the immediate approval of Gurene (Frafra) as an examinable subject by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) beginning in 2026.
The association said although Gurene was approved by the Ghana Education Service in 2022 as a recognised Ghanaian language for educational purposes, the policy had not been operationalised to enable students to write examinations in the language.
The association said the inclusion of Gurene as an examinable subject would improve comprehension among learners, promote mother-tongue education, preserve cultural heritage and linguistic identity, and enhance literacy levels in the area.
Dispute
The communique drew attention to the unresolved Bolgatanga chieftaincy dispute, which had been before the courts since 2013.
The association said the prolonged dispute has created tension, weakened traditional authority, hindered development initiatives and affected social cohesion within the municipality.
It appealed to the Government to engage the Judicial Service, the National House of Chiefs, the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and all parties involved to facilitate a fair, speedy and just resolution of the matter.
Concerns
The communiqué expressed concern about the poor and deteriorating condition of the Bolgatanga–Tamale road, describing it as a critical economic artery linking the Upper East Region to other parts of northern and southern Ghana.
BONABOTO said the state of the road poses serious safety risks, increases transportation costs, contributes to vehicle damage and negatively affects agricultural and commercial activities and appealed that government should prioritise the comprehensive reconstruction of the road to modern engineering standards to ensure durability, safety and long-term economic benefits.
