The Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri has pleaded with workers in the Bawku enclave not to desert the conflict ravaged area.
While acknowledging concerns about workers’ safety in the area, Akamugri said government has taken steps to safeguard workers in the area and urged those who still feel threatened to report to security agencies for enhanced protection.
“We have put in place measures to ensure that workers in Bawku are protected. So any worker that has been threatened, he only needs to draw the attention of REGSEC and we will provide the necessary security for you to continue to deliver the services deserved to the people of Bawku.”
Workers especially essential service providers have been concerned about their safety in the area since the escalation of the conflict in 2021, with some fleeing the area and others rejecting posting there.
Some institutions have since taken drastic measures including shutting down operations in the place to safeguard their workers.
The Agricultural Development Bank (adb), for instance, closed its Bawku branch in November 2024, citing the insecurity situation there. Though the closure, it said, was temporary, there has been no indication it has resumed operation there.
In March, 2022, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Rt. Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante indicated that the church was considering relocating both the Presbyterian Hospital and Nursing and Midwifery Training College from Bawku to the regional capital if the insecurity persisted.
The church has since partially closed down the Nursing and Midwifery Training College and there is no indication academic activities will resume any time soon.
Addressing workers at the Regional Labour Day commemoration in Bolgatanga, the Regional Minister appealed to workers not to flee the area as he said that will deny residents access to basic needs and rob the youth especially any glimmer of future they may have now.
“We call on you not to desert the place because it is not their liking. If you leave the place, we will be risking the future of the youth and the children. So we’ll make sure that we provide you with the necessary security so that you can help the area.”
