The Paramount Chief of the Kologo Traditional Area, Naba Tandegrewongrekugre Clifford Asobayire V, has called on Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region to prioritise security in their development plans, citing growing concerns about killings and armed attacks on highways.
He has also appealed for the establishment of a police station in Kologo to improve security and strengthen the response to crime in the area.
Speaking at the opening of the 2027–2030 Regional Composite Budget Hearings in Navrongo, the traditional ruler expressed concern that assemblies continued to prioritise other development projects while paying inadequate attention to security.
According to him, the increasing reports of violent attacks and killings should compel local authorities to invest in security infrastructure, particularly police stations in underserved communities.
“We don’t take our security seriously. We rather look at other things. And I think that the respective assemblies should try and make sure that they make security a priority in all what they do. But I don’t see that,” he lamented.
Naba Asobayire V said the absence of adequate security infrastructure exposed residents and travellers to danger, particularly along highways where criminals reportedly attack unsuspecting road users.
He urged assemblies to demonstrate their commitment to protecting lives by making provisions for security infrastructure in their budgets.
“Next year if we are all alive and if I am invited, I am going to ask whether the police stations are built or not? Because security is very paramount. You can see the killings of people all over. When people are travelling, they will go and trap them, kill them, and whatever,” he stated.
The Paramount Chief stressed that security was essential to development and should receive the same attention as roads, education, healthcare and other social infrastructure.
He particularly appealed for a police station in Kologo, arguing that its establishment would improve security and provide residents with better access to police services.
While commending the assemblies for their development efforts, Naba Asobayire V challenged them to demonstrate measurable progress in addressing security concerns before the next budget hearings.
“So, I want to commend the assemblies for the good work that you are doing. It is my hope that next year, if we are all coming back here again, it should be different things that we are talking about. Not the same things that you are always talking about,” he said.
He maintained that development planning must respond to the immediate concerns of residents, including their safety and protection from crime.
The 2027–2030 Regional Composite Budget Hearings brought together representatives of the 15 Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region to present and defend their development plans and budgets.
The exercise provides an opportunity for assemblies to assess their development priorities, review proposed expenditure and ensure that planned interventions address the needs of their communities.
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