He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the Bolga-Bawku road and the Tamne irrigational dam at Garu, saying these were important projects the people have been yearning for decades.

The Bawku Naba made the commendation when Mr Rockson Ayine Bukari, the Upper East Regional Minister, called on him at his palace to formally introduce himself to the Paramount Chief and his Divisional and Sub-Chiefs.

Naba Azoka assured the Minister of his Traditional Council’s readiness to support the Regional Coordinating Council in its efforts to execute development plans and initiatives of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.Naba Azoka said the people of Bawku are committed to peace and have resolved to be law abiding citizens as they have come to accept that peace is the most important ingredient for development.

Mr Bukari praised the Bawku Naba for his exemplary role in the society and added that government was more than ready to deliver on its mandate and only needed cooperation from the citizenry to execute its mandates.He urged the members of the council to champion the cause of developing their areas by releasing lands for government to embark on development projects.

Mr Bukari said government was committed to bringing development to their communities; however it was confronted with the challenge of the unavailability of land to construct projects such as schools and health facilities amongst others to improve the livelihoods of the people.The Minister said the ‘one village one dam’ initiative of government would soon come to fruition in the Bawku area because the main occupation of the people is farming.

Mr Bukari said the president has instituted a committee to promote the development of farmers in the region and would soon begin operations to recruit farmers who would be trained for agricultural purposes in the area.He assured the Bawku Naba of his administration’s willingness to maintain law and order in the region and called on residents of Bawku to assist their assemblies in their effort to halt smuggling in the area.

The Minister urged the people to maintain the peace of the area as it is the only factor that can bring about stability and development to the area.The Minister was accompanied Mr Frank Fusieni Adongo, Deputy Upper East Region Minister, Alhaji Abdulai Abubakar, Chief Director at the UERCC, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Redeemer Vincent Dedjou, the Regional Police Commander, and Coordinating Directors from the various districts in Bawku.