Upper East in retrospect: Region records mix of disturbing, life-transforming events

Unquestionably, the year 2024 was a year filled with a mixture of thrilling and painful events in the Upper East Region.

Whereas the sorrowful events brought pain and anguish to the affected people as well as increased insecurity in some parts of the region, the exciting moments put smiles on the faces of many more people.

For three consecutive years, the protracted Bawku conflict persisted leading to the death of many people and the destruction of many properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis.

A number of commercial vehicles transporting passengers were attacked on the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road and Bolgatanga-Walewale-Tamale highway resulting in deaths and injuries to passengers.

A notable incident was the killing of a number of people while two vehicles were set ablaze on in October 27, 2024 when unidentified gunmen opened fire on travellers along the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway near Gbimsi, close to Walewale.

What escalated the clashes was as a result of the return of a rival chief to Bawku. The unending unrest has brought the once vibrant Bawku town to its knees as traders and residents are unable to go about their normal duties.

The immediate past Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, addressing a press conference after the incident, reiterated the government’s commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the residents of Bawku and its environs.

Closure of courts

Following the incident, the Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, closed down seven courts to ensure the safety of judges, lawyers, staff and court users.

The affected courts were the High, Circuit and District courts in Bolgatanga as well as District courts in Zuarungu, Zebilla, Garu and Bongo respectively.

Later, the High, Circuit and District courts in Bolgatanga and the District Court in Bongo were reopened. However, per the new memorandum issued, the District Courts in Garu, Zebilla and Zuarungu remain closed.

Security agencies clash

Another disturbing incident that occurred in the year under review was the various clashes among the security agencies which became an issue of concern for the residents.

Last April, a misunderstanding between some military personnel and prison officers in Bawku led to three prison officers being injured. The incident was said to have occurred when the military personnel demanded the release of two men who were suspected to have run into a prison yard to escape arrest.

Also in June, a police officer sustained minor injuries after armed military personnel clashed with police personnel at the Paga District Police Command.

The clash was said to have been triggered as a result of the assault and detention of a soldier in mufti by a police investigative team.

In July 2024, some personnel of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at the Kulungugu border in the Pusiga District also clashed over a disagreement regarding the payment of border fees.

In October 2024, police personnel and some soldiers clashed at Missiga in the Bawku Municipality over a truck carrying suspected smuggled goods.

The incident occurred when personnel of both security agencies attempted to impound a truck suspected to be transporting some smuggled goods into Togo.

The disagreement over who should have custody of the truck to conduct further investigations after it was impounded led to the misunderstanding. 

Inauguration

Then President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated phase three of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Rehabilitation Project.

The project, which commenced in 2020, comprises a four-storey 39-apartment flat accommodation for the hospital staff, kitchen, laundry, relatives hostel and Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD).

The rest are mortuary block, roads and maintenance works, provision of medical and non-medical equipment as well as installation of other ancillary facilities.

The project, which is intended to provide an ultra-modern secondary referral hospital for the region, was funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) at a cost of $52 million.

Furthermore, in November 2024, then President Akufo-Addo inaugurated the Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd, the third largest mine in Ghana in the Talensi District.

The operationalisation of Cardinal Namdini, which is the largest single-stream mine in the West African sub-region, is expected to consolidate Ghana's position as one of the world’s leading gold producers, with projections that the company will produce three hundred thousand ounces (300,000 oz) annually in the first three years.

Protest

In October 2024, some residents of Sherigu held a press conference to call on the government to ensure the completion of the Bolga-Sherigu-Naaga road project.

Addressing the media on behalf of the residents, the Assembly member for the Kumbilingo Electoral Area, Stephen Akugre, said residents were tired of the empty promises and unnecessary delay of the road project, stating, “We believe it is time for the government to hold the contractor accountable for the completion of the project.”

Mother, child hospital

A 50-BED capacity mother and child hospital was inaugurated in Sumbrungu-Agusi in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

The facility is the first-ever mother and child hospital to be established in the five northern regions, as all other available health facilities provide general medical services to patients.

The well-furnished facility was initiated by Engage Now Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Ensign College, Ghana Health Service (GHS), with funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

As a big relief, the management of the Bolgatanga hospital with support from the general public mobilised resources to establish the first-ever dialysis unit at the facility to provide services to renal patients.

Hitherto, patients suffering from kidney ailments were referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).

Also, the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, led some NDC minority MPs and leadership of the NDC to the project site of the Pwalugu multipurpose dam.

The visit was meant to gather first-hand information after it came to light that about GH¢200 million had been paid to the contractor with no work done on the project.

Writer’s email:gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh