Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, has announced plans to establish a dedicated Remand Centre in Bolgatanga to address the mounting operational and justice delivery challenges in the region.
Speaking at the biennial congress of the Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo, and Tongo (BONABOTO) Traditional Area, the Minister revealed that the project is a strategic response to the logistical bottlenecks hindering the Ghana Prisons Service.
“This initiative is expected to ease the logistical burden on the prison administration, reduce delays in court proceedings, and ultimately enhance the administration of justice for remand prisoners.
“It is fully aligned with the Resetting Agenda of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, which prioritises access to justice, respect for human rights and the improvement of justice delivery across the country, particularly in underserved regions”
Hon. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, Upper East Regional Minister
The necessity for the facility is underscored by the ongoing security crisis in Bawku and the resulting congestion at the Navrongo Central Prison. Currently, all convicted prisoners and persons on remand from across the region are concentrated in Navrongo, creating a financial and logistical burden for the government.
Hon. Akamugri noted that transporting remand prisoners from Navrongo to courts in Bolgatanga is not only costly but also contributes to significant delays in judicial proceedings. These delays, he argued, have direct implications for the human rights and welfare of individuals awaiting trial.
According to the Regional Minister, the presidency is prioritizing the decentralization of justice infrastructure to ensure that underserved regions are not left behind in the pursuit of a just and equitable society. The project aims to “streamline the movement of prisoners, reduce the strain on the Navrongo facility,” and ensure that the regional capital possesses the necessary security infrastructure to match its administrative status.
The Minister confirmed that high-level discussions have already commenced between the regional administration, the Ghana Prisons Service, and the Ministry of the Interior.
He noted that a significant milestone was reached on December 22, 2025, when the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, visited the region to inspect a proposed site for the facility. While a temporary location has been identified, the Minister emphasized the need for a larger parcel of land within the Bolgatanga Municipality to support a full-scale, modern correctional facility.
Traditional Advocacy
In a direct appeal to the leadership of BONABOTO, the Regional Minister urged the association to leverage its influence among traditional authorities to help secure suitable land.
He described the association as a key stakeholder in the regional development process and noted that their advocacy would be instrumental in overcoming land acquisition hurdles. Hon. Akamugri stressed that the project is a collective regional priority that requires the cooperation of chiefs, landowners, and the elite to ensure its timely completion.
“The initiative is a critical step towards strengthening justice delivery in the region. We are indicating that the inspected site could serve as a temporary location, but a larger and more suitable parcel of land within the Bolgatanga Municipality would be required to fully implement the project.
“We therefore appeal to BONABOTO to engage traditional authorities to help identify and secure appropriate land”
Hon. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, Upper East Regional Minister
Supporting this call for unity and progress, the National President of BONABOTO, Professor Samuel Awinkine Atintono, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the region’s development. He noted that BONABOTO remains dedicated to its legacy of advocacy and will continue to partner with the government to address the Upper East Region’s infrastructure deficits.
The congress, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of BONABOTO at Damolg-Tindongo, served as a platform to highlight the critical infrastructure gap in the regional capital, which currently lacks any prison or remand facility.
The theme of the congress, “Our Legacy, Unity, Advocacy, Culture and Impact – The Journey Continues,” reflected this long-term commitment to regional advancement.
The proposed centre is expected to transform the judicial landscape of the Upper East Region by ensuring that the regional capital is equipped to handle its own legal and security requirements.
As the 2026 administrative year begins, the Regional Minister expressed optimism that with the support of stakeholders like BONABOTO and the commitment of the Ministry of the Interior, the project would break ground soon to alleviate the pressure on existing facilities.
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