Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, announced this during the biennial congress of the Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo and Tongo (BONABOTO) Traditional Area, held at Damolg-Tindongo in the Nabdam District, which also coincided with BONABOTO’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Mr Akamugri said the initiative was necessitated by persistent difficulties in transporting remand prisoners from Navrongo to courts in Bolgatanga, the growing congestion at the Navrongo Central Prison, exacerbated by the protracted Bawku security situation, and the absence of any prison facility in Bolgatanga despite its status as a regional capital.

Apart from the Navrongo Central Prison and the Bawku Local Prison, which houses only second-degree and misdemeanour offenders, the region, including Bolgatanga, does not have any other prison or remand centre.

Additionally, due to the Bawku conflict, all convicted prisoners and persons on remand are compelled to be housed at the Navrongo Central Prison, a situation that has led to overcrowding and placed a huge financial and logistical burden on the Government in transporting remand prisoners for court hearings in Bolgatanga.

According to the Regional Minister, these challenges continue to place a heavy logistical and operational burden on the Ghana Prisons Service and contribute to delays in court proceedings, with implications for the rights and welfare of persons on remand.

“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,” the Minister noted.

He explained that discussions had already commenced with the Ghana Prisons Service and the Ministry of the Interior to facilitate the establishment of the Remand Centre, describing the move as a critical step towards strengthening justice delivery in the region.

As part of the process, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, he said, paid a courtesy call on him on December 22, 2025, during which a proposed site for the facility was jointly inspected.

While the inspected site could serve as a temporary location, Mr Akamugri noted that a larger and more suitable parcel of land within the Bolgatanga Municipality would be required to fully implement the project.

He, therefore, appealed to BONABOTO to leverage its influence as a key advocacy and stakeholder body to engage traditional authorities and other stakeholders to help identify and secure appropriate land for the facility.

Mr Akamugri stressed that the proposed Remand Centre aligns with the Resetting Agenda of President John Dramani Mahama, which emphasises access to justice, respect for human rights and improved justice delivery, particularly in underserved regions.

He expressed optimism that with collective support, the Remand Centre would be realised to enhance security, reduce trial delays, and promote the effective administration of justice in the Upper East Region.

“The initiative 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,” he added.

Professor Smauel Awinkine Atintono, National President of BONABOTO reiterated the commitment of the Association to advancing development of the region through advocacy and dialogue.

The Congress was held on the theme “Our Legacy, Unity, Advocacy, Culture and Impact – The Journey Continues.”