The District Chief Executive for Bawku West, James Ayamwego, has identified mining, agriculture, flood control and healthcare as the district’s top development priorities under the Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience and Livelihoods (PEARL) initiative.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Ayamwego said the district submitted its priority areas after all district assemblies in the Upper East Region were invited to identify projects for inclusion in the 10 year development framework.
He said mining remains one of the district’s greatest economic opportunities, noting that gold has been discovered in several communities. He called for responsible investment in the sector to create jobs, reduce illegal mining and generate revenue for development.
“One of the key things I’ve spoken about is the mineral resource, for which we have been endowed with. We must begin to look at how we can improve that sector to benefit our people,” he said.
Mr. Ayamwego also highlighted agriculture as a major driver of the district’s economy, describing Bawku West as one of the region’s key food producing areas. He said the district has about 10,000 hectares of low lying land suitable for dry season farming and called for greater investment in irrigation and support for farmers.
“In Bawku West, we have about 10,000 hectares of land, lower basins, that could support dry season farming. So if we have all this resource, our people are suffering, our people are jobless. That means if we focus our attention in that area, then we can help improve upon the economic status of the district and the region at large,” he said.
The DCE also called for long term solutions to the annual flooding caused by spillages from the Bagre Dam, which he said continue to destroy farms, homes and other property in the district.
“Every rainy season, the Bagre Dam is opened. When the dam is opened, it is our people who suffer, who go through the pain, who go through the trouble every year. So we should not allow this to go,” he said.
He proposed improved water management systems, including measures to store and channel floodwaters to reduce their impact on communities and farmlands.
“We need to intentionally, deliberately, tailor strategies that address this matter. One of which is we should begin to look at how we can store this water. We should have a way of channeling this water without having to destroy farmlands, communities and property,” he said.
Mr. Ayamwego also identified healthcare as a key priority, saying the district hospital lacks the capacity to adequately serve residents despite functioning as a referral facility for neighbouring districts.
He expressed optimism that the district’s priorities would guide investments and policy decisions under the PEARL framework, which seeks to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods across the Upper East Region over the next decade.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
