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 in the Upper East Region.
The group has also appealed for urgent attention to road infrastructure, education, chieftaincy disputes and regional connectivity for the region.
The appeals were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the BONABOTO’s Silver Jubilee Congress held from December 29 to 31, 2025, at Damolg–Tindongo in the region.
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 region and northern Ghana as a whole.
25 years of congresses
In a communiqué signed by the National President of BONABOTO, Professor Samuel Awinkene Atintono, the association said 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.
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 region.
The association said it had consistently advocated for the airport for more than 20 years, 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 the government to demonstrate commitment by ensuring that actual construction work began in 2026 so that the budgetary allocation translated into tangible progress on the ground.
Bawku Conflict
Highlighting the conflict at Bawku, the communiqué commended the government for the steps taken toward resolving the protracted Bawku conflict, which had for years affected lives, livelihoods and development in parts of the region.
“BONABOTO acknowledges the security, mediation and peacebuilding interventions aimed at restoring calm and stability to Bawku and its surrounding communities,” it said.
It said the conflict had disrupted economic activities, restricted movement, affected access to education and health care, 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 the 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 the 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, health care 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.
