The Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Atanga Donatus, has assured the Palace of the Bawku Naaba that government is ready to operationalise the proposed GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund following the restoration of relative peace in the area.
The Minister also pledged to follow up with the Presidency on the Kusaug Traditional Council’s petition for the creation of a new region, saying the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) would engage the Presidency and provide feedback to the traditional leadership.
Mr. Atanga gave the assurance when a delegation from the Palace of the Bawku Naaba, led by the Divisional Chief of the Gumbo Traditional Area, Chief Alhaji Mahmoud Azonko, paid a courtesy call on him at the Regional Coordinating Council in Bolgatanga.
The delegation represented the Bawku Naaba, Zug-Raan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who also serves as President of the Kusaug Traditional Council. Also present were Palace elder John Abugri and Chief Alhaji Kasum Osman.
The visit was to seek updates on two key issues—the proposed GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund, announced by President John Dramani Mahama, and the petition for the creation of a new region, which the Kusaug Traditional Council submitted to the Presidency in October 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Chief Alhaji Mahmoud Azonko said the Palace had not received any official communication on the progress of either the revitalisation fund or the petition for a new region.
He stressed that maintaining the prevailing peace in Bawku was essential to sustaining development and urged government to expedite action on the commitments made to the people of Kusaug.
“Peace is paramount; therefore, there is a need to maintain the peace we are enjoying now in Bawku,” Chief Alhaji Mahmoud Azonko said.
He appealed to the Regional Minister to liaise with the Presidency and keep the Palace informed on developments regarding both the Bawku Revitalisation Fund and the proposed new region.
Responding, Mr. Atanga commended the Bawku Naaba for the leadership he had shown in restoring calm to the area, describing peace as the foundation for meaningful development.
He reiterated that the Regional Coordinating Council remains neutral in the Bawku conflict but would continue to coordinate efforts with all stakeholders to sustain the peace currently being enjoyed.
On the proposed GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund, the Minister said government was now prepared to move forward with implementation, explaining that the fund would operate under clearly defined guidelines to ensure accountability, transparency and effective management.
He disclosed that a committee would soon be inaugurated to oversee the administration of the fund. According to him, the committee will comprise the Upper East Regional Minister, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, and the Minister for Finance, who will serve as chairman.
“We are only waiting for the Presidency to communicate the date for the inauguration of the committee so that work can begin,” Mr. Atanga said.
Touching on the petition for the creation of a new region, the Regional Minister confirmed that it had already been forwarded to the Presidency but explained that security concerns in Bawku had delayed further action.
He expressed optimism that with calm gradually returning to the municipality, government would be in a better position to revisit the matter.
“The petition is before the Presidency. The security situation delayed the process, but we will follow up and report back to the Bawku Naaba,” he assured.
The meeting reflected the continued engagement between government and traditional authorities to consolidate peace in Bawku while advancing development initiatives, including the proposed Bawku Revitalisation Fund and the Kusaug Traditional Council’s long-standing call for the creation of a new region.
