Mahama inaugurates committee to manage GH¢1bn Bawku revitalisation fund
President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated a committee to oversee the implementation of the GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund, aimed at restoring development and economic activity in Bawku and surrounding communities.
The committee, chaired by the Minister for Finance, will be responsible for steering the implementation of projects and interventions under the revitalisation programme.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Mahama said the government had allocated GH¢1 billion to the fund following the receipt of a report on the Bawku conflict.
He said the improved security situation in Bawku and surrounding areas has created the opportunity for government to commence the implementation of the revitalisation programme.
“Now, with safety and security prevailing in Bawku and surrounding areas, this is the time to begin implementation of the revitalisation fund, to recapture Bawku’s former glory as a major, major commercial centre in Ghana,” President Mahama said.
According to him, the conflict had negatively affected the delivery of essential services and the implementation of major development projects in the area.
He said the security situation had made it difficult for government to post national service personnel and medical personnel to Bawku.
President Mahama also highlighted the impact of the conflict on the Tamne Dam project, saying work had stalled after an employee of the contractor was killed, forcing the company to withdraw from the area.
The President said the Tamne Dam project, when completed, would benefit four districts in the Bawku area.
He expressed optimism that the restoration of security would allow contractors and government agencies to return and resume projects that had been suspended.
President Mahama said the revitalisation fund would focus on the provision of infrastructure and other areas identified by the committee as necessary to support the development of Bawku.
He stressed that the benefits of the fund should extend to as many districts within the Bawku area as possible.
“We now have the opportunity to go back and continue the development, so that the people of the area would benefit from all the projects that we’ve been doing, so that Bawku will get its fair share of the national cake,” he said.
The inauguration of the committee marks a major step towards the implementation of the GH¢1 billion revitalisation programme, with the government seeking to rebuild infrastructure, restore public services and revive Bawku’s position as an important commercial hub.
His Royal Majesty Cletus Abugri, Tampane Chief, also expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the significant investment being made to revitalise Bawku.
He noted that the prolonged conflict in the area had disrupted infrastructure development and brought many social and economic activities to a standstill, leaving Bawku a pale shadow of its former self.
According to him, the investment, coupled with proper coordination among stakeholders, would help restore the town to its former glory.
His Royal Majesty Cletus Abugri also invited President Mahama to participate in the sod-cutting ceremony to officially commence the revitalisation project, saying it would demonstrate the government’s commitment to rebuilding the area.
He further assured the President of the community’s commitment to peace, stressing that peace must come before development.
“We are committed to peace, and we will do everything possible to make sure there is peace. We know peace before development,” he said.
The Tampane Chief said the traditional authorities and other stakeholders would support efforts to maintain peace and ensure that the planned investments translate into meaningful development for the people of Bawku.
