The Bawku West District Assembly, led by District Chief Executive (DCE) met leaders of various associations of artisans and small and medium business in the district on to interact and learn at firsthand issues confronting them and to also brief them on the need to honour their tax obligations to the assembly.

Welcoming the associations leaders to the meeting, the District Coordinating Director welcomed all and thanked them for the honouring the invitation. He urged them to be opened and free to air their views so together we could chart a path to resolving the teething issues affecting them and the assembly.

The DCE Hon. James Ayamwego thanked all of them for honouring the call and their contributions so far to the development of the district. He took time to brief them on happenings since he took over which include building of health facilities, educational facilities, constructions roads, drilling of boreholes, sanitation activities, electricity and markets.

He also encouraged them to take their respective skills seriously, emphasizing that every skill is equally important as the work he and others do, provided they are committed and dedicated to it.

He expressed concern about their lack of involvement in the National Sanitation Day exercises in recent times and urged them to consider taking active part interest in it to help keep the district clean.

The District Budget Officer (DBO) took the opportunity to educate the participants on the importance of revenue mobilisation and the payment of fees and charges. He emphasised that revenue generated by the Assembly is essential for funding development projects and improving the welfare of residents. He therefore urged them to fulfil their civic responsibility by paying their fees, charges and taxes promptly to support the continued development of the district. The DBO also took the opportunity to brief them on the fee fixing resolution for 2026 and the process required for its approval by the Assembly.

The Associations Leaders also thanked the DCE and his Staff for making time to hold this very important meeting with them. They also took the opportunity to highlight several challenges facing them, including the need for a conference center that could serve as a dedicated venue for their various activities, such as training sessions, meetings, workshops, graduation ceremonies, passing-out programmes, and other related events. They also lamented about the proliferation of splinter and rival groups.

The Hon. District Chief Executive, in response to the concerns raised, assured the stakeholders of the Assembly’s commitment to addressing their issues, particularly the provision of a conference center, which is of great importance to them and would enable them to organise their activities effectively.