Bawku: Dr Charles Kwowe Nyaaba, the Chief Executive Officer of Akuafo Nketewa Company Limited, has highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing Bawku conflict on agriculture and local economies.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Nyaaba stated that the prolonged conflict is debilitating farming activities, harming businesses, and stripping families of their means of livelihood.
Farmers in Bawku Central and Bawku West, who once cultivated a variety of crops such as onions, tomatoes, and maize, have either moved away or significantly reduced their farming operations. Businesses, including banks, are also facing challenges due to the prevailing insecurity. Dr Nyaaba emphasized that the conflict benefits no one, as it affects the livelihoods of all involved, as well as the nation's food supply.
Dr Nyaaba expressed these concerns during an interview on the occasion of Akuafo Nketewa's donation of food items to final-year students at Bawku Senior High School and Bawku Senior High Technical School. He recalled that Bawku was once a significant hub for food production and animal husbandry in Ghana. However, due to the conflict, the area has declined, with Ghana now relying on neighboring countries for tomatoes and livestock.
He further explained that Akuafo Nketewa Company Limited, originally focused on fertilizer distribution and agro-input supply in Bawku, has had to shift its operations to nearby districts. The insecurity has forced many farmers to relocate, and those who remain find it challenging to operate. The conflict has broader implications, affecting education, trade, and social life, with attacks on students and staff discouraging parents from sending their children to schools in Bawku.
Dr Nyaaba called for intensified dialogue and reconciliation efforts from opinion leaders, traditional authorities, and government bodies, stressing that peace is essential for restoring stability and prosperity in the area. He reiterated that development cannot occur without peace, as businesses, farming, health, and education continue to suffer.
He also noted that the company's donation to the schools was meant to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Bawku and to advocate for peace. Akuafo Nketewa Company is committed to supporting smallholder farmers across Ghana by providing inputs, mechanization services, and market access, and it remains dedicated to promoting agricultural development in the region.
