Govt plans GH¢1bn Bawku recovery fund: Endorses Otumfuo's roadmap - Will facilitate Seidu Abagre's safe relocation
The government has announced a GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund to support the reconstruction of the Upper East city and surrounding areas, after accepting the findings and recommendations of the Bawku Conflict Mediation Report.
The goal of the fund, to be disbursed over a three-year period starting from next year, is to restore Bawku to its historic position as a significant economic and trading hub in northern Ghana.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, presented the report to President John Dramani Mahama last Tuesday.
Acknowledging the grave human, social and economic losses from the protracted conflict, President John Dramani Mahama directed the Finance Minister to establish a GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund.
“The fund, which shall be disbursed over a three-year period between 2026 and 2028, will be dedicated to reconstruction and developing priority infrastructure, including roads, health care, education, dam and irrigation facilities for all-year round agriculture, security installations, economic and commercial facilities, to restore Bawku to its historic position as a significant economic and trading hub in northern Ghana,” a statement signed and issued yesterday by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said.
The statement, which conveyed the government’s endorsement of all recommendations in the report, added that the fund would be managed by a high-level committee to be chaired by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who is also serving as acting Defence Minister.
Other members are the Upper East Regional Minister, Donaltus Akamuguri, and the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, who will represent MPs from the area.
The government described the report as a “comprehensive, fact-based and forward-looking roadmap” aimed at achieving lasting peace in Bawku and its environs.
Affirmation of law, recall of rival chief
A key pillar of the government’s position is the reaffirmation of the authority of the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II.
The statement stressed that “no individual or group is permitted, under any circumstances, to contest his authority or legitimacy,” a position it said was consistently upheld by the Supreme Court.
In line with the report’s recommendation, the government accepted that Alhaji Seidu Abagre, installed as a rival claimant to the Bawku skin, be recalled to the North East Regional capital, Nalerigu, by the Overlord of Mamprugu Traditional Area, the Nayiri, Naa Bohaga Mahami Abdulai Sheriga.
“The government will immediately facilitate the safe movement of Alhaji Seidu Abagre to Nalerigu, where he shall remain available to receive the directives of the Nayiri,” the statement declared.
The government also respectfully requested Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to continue lending his “distinguished leadership and moral authority” to subsequent reconciliation efforts between the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities.
Unity, restraint
The government called on all traditional authorities, political leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, religious bodies, development partners and citizens to support the peace-building process “in the spirit of unity, restraint, and patriotism.”
Echoing the Asantehene’s admonition, the statement reiterated that “there are no winners and no losers in this process.”
President Mahama, after receiving the report last Tuesday, urged all parties to “accept and faithfully abide by the conclusions and recommendations of the Mediation Report in the supreme interest of peace and national stability.”
The government expressed profound gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Nayiri, the Bawku Naba, and all stakeholders whose cooperation contributed to the success of the mediation.
