President John Dramani Mahama has strongly condemned the recent killing of a military officer in Bawku, Upper East Region, during a visit to thank the people of the region. He emphasized that members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) deployed to the conflict zone are peacekeepers tasked with protecting lives and property, and their involvement in the conflict is unacceptable.
"In the same vein, I wish to equally condemn the high-handed response of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces which resulted in assaults and injuries to many innocent civilians in the area," President Mahama stressed during a grand durbar at the Bolgatanga Jubilee Park last Thursday.
The military officer was fatally shot last Monday near a buffer zone established to manage the ongoing chieftaincy conflict. This incident marks the third killing of security personnel in the area since 2022, fueling rising tensions among residents.
President Mahama acknowledged the anger following the loss of the officer but urged restraint and the use of effective intelligence gathering to apprehend those responsible. He extended condolences to the officer's family and expressed sympathy for the civilians injured in the military's counter-action.
Regarding the conflict resolution, President Mahama thanked the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for initiating mediation efforts. He expressed hope that the involved parties would approach the proposals with open minds and return to negotiations in good faith.
The President highlighted that the numerous development programs planned for the region would be meaningless if violence continues. He posed the question, "What use will the dreams of the people be if they stand on broken ground and what future do we promise our children if they inherit walls of distrust instead of bridges of hope?" He challenged the people to choose peace, not out of fear, but out of strength.
President Mahama outlined several development projects, prioritizing the completion of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road to boost trade and improve market access. Resurfacing of the Tamale-Bolgatanga-Paga road and improvements to other regional road networks were also announced.
The construction of a regional airport in Bolgatanga, funded through a Public-Private Partnership with mining companies, was also highlighted. Rural electrification projects, including off-grid solar systems, will be expanded. The Tamne Irrigation Project will be completed to facilitate year-round farming. Upgrades to the War Memorial Hospital in Navrongo and the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga were also mentioned.
The Paramount Chief of the Nangodi Traditional Area, Naba Yelzoya Kosom Asaga II, commended President Mahama for abolishing certain taxes and appealed for improved road networks and prioritization of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project. The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, expressed the region's support for the new administration.
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