By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Government has announced the creation of a One Billion Ghana Cedi fund to restore peace, rebuild damaged infrastructure and revive economic activities in Bawku, following years of conflict and insecurity.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday December 17, 2025, Government admitted that the prolonged conflict in Bawku and its surrounding areas has caused serious human, social and economic losses.
These challenges, it said, have weakened livelihoods, reduced social cohesion and slowed down development in the area.
According to the statement, persistent insecurity has discouraged both public and private investment and brought major infrastructure projects to a standstill.
To address the situation, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to establish a GHS1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund.
The fund will be spent over a three-year period from 2026 to 2028. It will focus on rebuilding and developing key infrastructure such as roads, health facilities, schools, dams and irrigation systems to support all-year-round farming.
The fund will also support the construction of security installations as well as economic and commercial facilities.
Government said the initiative is aimed at restoring Bawku to its former status as a major economic and trading centre in Northern Ghana.
Management of the fund will be overseen by a high-level committee chaired by the Minister for Finance and Acting Minister for Defence, Hon. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson.
Other members include the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Donaltus Akamuguri, and the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central and will represent MPs from the area.
The Government has also appealed to traditional authorities, political leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, religious bodies, development partners and the general public to support the peace-building and reconciliation process in the spirit of unity and patriotism.
Reiterating the words of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Government stressed that there are no winners or losers in the mediation process.
President Mahama urged all parties to accept and respect the findings and recommendations of the mediation report in the interest of peace and national stability.
The statement further expressed Government’s gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga II, the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, and all stakeholders whose cooperation and commitment contributed to the success of the mediation process.
