Bolgatanga: President John Dramani Mahama has expressed optimism that Bawku will regain its status as a major commercial hub if the current peace in the area is maintained. Speaking during a citizen engagement as part of his Resetting Ghana Agenda tour in the Upper East Region, the President emphasized that the cessation of gunfire and the return of relative calm have paved the way for residents and businesses, previously displaced by conflict, to return and rebuild.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama credited the traditional rulers and residents of Bawku for their role in maintaining peace, noting that the town was 'finally calm' with people resuming normal activities. He expressed confidence that if peace persists, Bawku will reclaim its former glory as a significant commercial area in the country.
The President acknowledged that the prolonged conflict in Bawku had severely disrupted essential services, leading to the exodus of teachers, health professionals, and other workers. He highlighted the challenges faced last year when the government was unable to post national service personnel or medical doctors to Bawku due to the unrest. The restoration of peace is deemed critical to rebuilding confidence and attracting professionals and businesses back to the area.
Following the conclusions and recommendations of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's mediation on the protracted Bawku conflict in December 2025, the government announced the establishment of a GHS1 billion Revitalisation Fund. This initiative is part of efforts to restore Bawku and will be managed by a committee comprising Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance; the Regional Minister; and Mr. Mahama Ayariga, who now serves as the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs. The Fund, intended to span from 2026 to 2028, aims to revitalize the region's economy.
President Mahama mentioned plans to inaugurate the committee within the week to commence the Fund's implementation. Preliminary work has already begun on roads and health facilities in Bawku, even prior to the committee's formal inauguration. A significant portion of the Fund will be allocated to health and road infrastructure to enhance the movement of traders and farmers, as well as improve healthcare services.
The President also announced plans to complete one of the Agenda 111 hospitals in the area and to construct a new hospital in Bawku to strengthen healthcare delivery. These revitalization efforts, combined with sustained peace, are expected to restore Bawku's economic activity and enable the municipality to reclaim its position as an important commercial center in Ghana.