By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, Dec. 29, GNA – Dr Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, the Executive Director of the AfriKan Continental Union Consult (ACUC) Ghana Chapter, has called on the government to prioritise agricultural infrastructure, climate-smart development, education, healthcare, and economic facilities under the proposed Bawku Revitalisation and Recovery Fund.
Dr Aziginaateeg, in an open letter to Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Defence, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tema, said prioritising these sectors would accelerate recovery and promote lasting peace in Kusaug within the Bawku area.
He stated that clearly defined development priorities were essential to addressing the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and social dislocation resulting from years of unrest in the area.
He outlined a comprehensive development framework anchored in agriculture-led growth, human capital development, and resilient social infrastructure.
Dr Aziginaateeg identified agricultural and economic infrastructure as the foremost priority, calling for investments in feeder roads to link farming communities to markets, irrigation and water management systems, agro-processing plants, and storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmer incomes.
Modern market infrastructure, transport hubs, and cold storage facilities were also highlighted as critical to improving trade efficiency and stimulating local economies.
He urged the government to adopt climate-smart and green infrastructure solutions, including renewable energy systems, water conservation technologies, and climate-resilient construction designs to address environmental degradation and recurring climate shocks in the region.
Education and skills development were identified as key pillars of long-term stability, with proposals for technical and vocational training centres, alongside sports and recreational facilities within schools to engage the youth and build employable skills.
On healthcare and social infrastructure, the letter called for the construction and upgrading of community hospitals, primary healthcare centres, recreational parks, and community centres to improve access to essential services and strengthen social cohesion.
Additionally, he advocated for intensified agro-forestry programmes, led by the Forestry Commission, to combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and enhance climate resilience.
He stressed that focusing the revitalisation fund on tangible, people-centred development projects, would not only rebuild physical infrastructure but also restore confidence, create jobs, and foster peaceful coexistence among the culturally diverse communities of Kusaug.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo