The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Atanga Akamugri and the member of Parliament for Bawku Central and majority leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, today, April 14, 2026, cut sod for 13 new projects in Bawku municipality.
The projects span key sectors, including school infrastructure, road construction, water systems, health facilities, and a 24-hour economy market.
Bawku has suffered significant infrastructure and development setbacks due to prolonged conflict in the area, which has disrupted social and economic activities. Community members and chiefs welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that the projects will help restore development and livelihoods.
Prior to the sod-cutting, Hon. Akamugri and Hon. Ayariga paid a courtesy call on the Bawku Naba at his palace to formally inform him of the 13 projects earmarked for the municipality. The gesture was well received by the traditional authorities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Donatsu Atanga Akamugri, conveyed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to the people of Bawku and the country at large. According to him, the President holds the entire country at heart, with special regard for the people of Bawku.
For his part, the sod cutting is evident in the number of projects earmarked for the municipality. 13 projects have been approved for Bawku Municipality alone, spanning from primary school through JHS to SHS level. This demonstrates government’s commitment to education in the area.
The Minister noted that the President recognises the loyalty and support shown to him by the people of Bawku during his campaign, treating him as a brother.
He clarified that the projects being initiated are not a replacement for the Bawku Revitalization Fund. Work on the Fund is ongoing and will be rolled out in due course.
Meanwhile Mahama Ayariga described the infrastructure drive as a direct job creation strategy for the youth.
According to him, the infrastructure agenda is also a job creation agenda for the people. “We are doing infrastructure so that we can create jobs for young people. So everybody should take advantage of the infrastructure projects that will be undertaken to try and find jobs within these projects and work for as long as the projects are ongoing.”
The Majority Leader also made a passionate appeal to the youth and residents to guarantee the safety of contractors and their equipment, acknowledging that insecurity has previously discouraged contractors from working in Bawku.
According to him, “many of the contractors have been unwilling to come and work in Bawku and you know why. So I urge you, the youth, even as we have our small disagreements which we are not managing the best way, I want to plead with all of you that what we are seeing the attempt to start infrastructure jobs here is for the benefit of all of us,” Hon. Ayariga stated.
He stressed that residents have a duty to ensure that external workers who come to provide services are well protected. He warned that if the work stops due to insecurity, Bawku may not get such attention again soon.
“If all the work stops, I don’t know when again we’ll have an opportunity to have a John Dramani Mahama as the President who is willing to pay attention to the infrastructure development of Bawku,” he added.
The projects are expected to improve access to education, healthcare, potable water, and markets, while boosting local commerce through the planned 24-hour economy market.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Atungo Iddrisu Kassim
