President condemns soldier’s killing: Denounces reprisals in Bawku

President John Dramani Mahama has condemned the recent killing of a military officer in Bawku in the Upper East Region.

He reminded the people that members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in the conflict zone were peacekeepers deployed to protect lives and property, and that it was unacceptable for them to be regarded as part of a conflict of which they were not a party.

“In the same vein, I wish to equally condemn the high-handed response of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces which resulted in assaults and injuries to many innocent civilians in the area,” he stressed.

President Mahama was speaking at a grand durbar held at the Bolgatanga Jubilee Park last Thursday during a tour to thank the people of the Upper East Region.

The military officer was shot dead last Monday morning near one of the buffer zones set up to control the ongoing chieftaincy conflict in the area.

The latest incident brings to three the number of security personnel killed in the area since 2022, and it is leading to rising tension among residents.

Anger

“I can understand the righteous anger over the loss of a colleague military officer but you must exercise restraint and rather use effective intelligence gathering to identify and bring the culprits to book,” President Mahama told the GAF.

Further, he used the occasion to extend his condolences to the family of the deceased soldier and at the same extended his sympathies to the many residents assaulted and injured in the military counter-action.

On the resolution of the conflict, President Mahama thanked the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for commencing mediation efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the age-old conflict which has claimed many lives and led to the destruction of several properties.

He expressed the hope that the parties in the recent mediation process would consider the proposals with open mind and return to the negotiation table in good faith when it resumes in the weeks ahead. 

Outlined programmes

President Mahama said the numerous programmes outlined by his administration for the area, the commitments made and the brighter future envisioned would mean nothing if communities were scared by violence.

“What use will the dreams of the people be if they stand on broken ground and what future do we promise our children if they inherit walls of distrust instead of bridges of hope,” the President said quizzically.

He said a nation divided by past wounds could not march forward into the promised tomorrow.

“Let us choose peace not out of fear, but out of strength; not as a surrender, but as the highest act of courage to secure our collective quest for progress,” President Mahama challenged the people.

Development projects

Touching on some development projects, the President said on top of the priority was the completion of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road, saying “it is a critical road that will boost trade and improve access to markets for farmers and businesses”.

Also, the government would commence the resurfacing of the Tamale-Bolgatanga-Paga main road which was in a deplorable state, he said, adding that such an intervention would bring relief to motorists.

Other road networks, the President mentioned, were the Bolgatanga-Wa road to link both regions as well as the road linking Navrongo, Sandema, Fumbisi and Daboya.

Regional airport

On the regional airport, President Mahama stated that the Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) had been tasked to commence sourcing of funds for the construction of the Bolgatanga Airport to enable people to fly directly into the region.

“We intend to do this under a Public-Private partnership module in conjunction with large-scale gold mining companies operating in the region,” the President said.

Rural electrification projects will also be expanded to connect more communities to the national grid to simulate local enterprises and enhance living conditions of the people.

However, a good number of the electrification projects would include off-grid solar system for communities too far away from the transmission grid, President Mahama said.

"The Tamne Irrigation Project will be completed to allow for all year round farming within the Garu and Tempane areas so as to unlock the region's potential in agriculture," he added.

Hospital projects

The President said the War Memorial Hospital in Navrongo in the Kassena Nankana Municipality would be upgraded to enhance medical services and support medical training as well.

Additionally, he stated that the government would commence and complete the phase three project of the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga to provide specialised healthcare services to the residents.

Chief speaks

Speaking earlier on behalf of the chiefs, the Paramount Chief of the Nangodi Traditional Area, Naba Yelzoya Kosom Asaga II, commended President Mahama for redeeming his promise to abolish some taxes to bring relief to Ghanaians.

He appealed to the government to improve all major road networks in the region to ease transformation as well as prioritise the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project to accelerate the region’s development.

In a welcome address, the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, said the region was proud of the giant steps and measures taken so far by the government towards resetting the country for the benefit of all.

“The region is fully behind you and we are confident that the new NDC administration will foster unity, progress and prosperity for the people,” he said.
 
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh