Banda District witnesses transformation as infrastructure projects reshape communities

Banda-Ahenkro, the capital of the Banda District in the Bono Region, is experiencing a gradual transformation as investments in public infrastructure, education, healthcare, sports and security reshape the area and improve access to essential services.

The growing number of development projects, including an ultra-modern social and recreational centre, an artificial football pitch, new school facilities, health infrastructure and staff accommodation, is giving the district a new outlook and creating opportunities for residents, particularly the youth.

Beyond improving public services, the projects form part of an ambitious vision to position Banda as one of Ghana’s leading tourism destinations.

Once regarded as one of the deprived areas in the erstwhile Brong Ahafo Region, Banda District is increasingly attracting attention for its expanding infrastructure and development initiatives.

The district’s progress has also strengthened its capacity to host major public programmes. Banda-Ahenkro hosted the 2026 regional commemoration of the June 4 Uprising, demonstrating the town’s growing ability to accommodate significant public events.

Major infrastructure projects reshape Banda-Ahenkro

At the centre of the transformation are projects designed to improve public administration, expand essential services and create spaces for recreation and community activities.

Key developments include an ultra-modern social and recreational centre, an artificial football pitch, a district health insurance office and a three-storey district assembly facility equipped with offices and conference halls.

The Banda District Assembly’s 2025/2026 project register lists 75 projects and interventions across education, healthcare, security, administration, sports and recreation, among other sectors.

According to the register, the social and recreational centre is 92 per cent complete, while the Astro pitch has reached 82 per cent completion.

The facilities are expected to provide improved spaces for community gatherings, sporting activities and other public programmes while supporting the district’s broader development objectives.

Education and healthcare receive attention

Investment in education is another significant part of Banda District’s infrastructure programme.

At Bandaman Senior High School alone, 19 projects are being undertaken. They include a science laboratory block, teachers’ quarters, a headmaster’s bungalow, boys’ and girls’ dormitories, a dining hall complex, an administration complex and an 18-unit classroom block.

The projects are at various stages of completion and are intended to improve teaching and learning conditions while providing a better environment for students and teachers.

The development programme also extends to communities beyond Banda-Ahenkro. Classroom blocks and teachers’ quarters are being provided in Boase, Biema, Dorbor, Fawoman and Sanwa.

On healthcare, the District Chief Executive, Peter Dongi, said six three-bedroom nurses’ quarters at Banda-Ahenkro had been completed, alongside other accommodation and community health projects across the district.

The provision of staff accommodation is expected to help improve living conditions for health workers and support the delivery of healthcare services in the area.

Security and basic services extended to communities

The district is also investing in security infrastructure and essential community facilities.

Mr Dongi said a police post and staff accommodation at Boase and Dorbor had been completed, while a police station at Sabiye remained under construction.

Other ongoing interventions include boreholes, public places of convenience, drainage works and road reshaping.

The projects reflect efforts to address basic infrastructure needs, improve sanitation and water access, strengthen security and make communities more accessible.

Sports facilities to create opportunities for the youth

The infrastructure programme is also intended to help young people develop their talents and pursue new opportunities.

The Member of Parliament for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, said the district had produced footballers, coaches and boxing trainers who had contributed to sports development.

He, however, believed more young people could excel if they had access to appropriate training facilities.

Mr Ibrahim said the Astro turf at Banda-Ahenkro was nearing completion, while other sporting facilities were being developed at Banda Bui and Dobo, including a tennis court.

He explained that the facilities would provide young people with opportunities to train, discover their talents and pursue careers in sports.

The development agenda also includes plans for a computer laboratory as part of the wider social and recreational centre project.

The proposed facility is expected to encourage digital skills acquisition and prepare young people for opportunities in technology and other emerging professional fields.

Banda targets tourism growth

Beyond infrastructure development, the district is pursuing a long-term ambition to become a major destination for tourism, conferences and other events.

Mr Dongi said the vision was for Banda to become Ghana’s most attractive tourist destination within the next five years.

As part of the broader development concept surrounding the social and recreational centre, he said a hotel was envisaged to support the district’s tourism ambitions.

The plan is intended to attract visitors and create opportunities for conferences, social events and other activities that could stimulate local economic growth.

Mr Ibrahim said the development programme reflected a long-term vision he had pursued during his 18 years as an MP.

If successfully implemented, the tourism initiative could create opportunities for local businesses, hospitality operators and young people seeking employment.

Regional Minister praises pace of development

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, commended the scale of infrastructure development during a tour of projects in the district.

Mr Akwaboa accompanied Mr Ibrahim and Mr Dongi on the inspection tour as part of a two-day accountability-to-the-people programme.

He said the number of projects was so considerable that the team could not inspect all of them within the two days allocated for the exercise.

The Regional Minister attributed the pace of construction to the availability of funds before contractors were engaged.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that adequate funding arrangements were in place before contractors began work, saying the government was committed to completing ongoing projects.

“We will not leave any project without completing it,” he said.

His comments underscored the importance of sustained financing and effective project management in ensuring that infrastructure investments translate into lasting benefits for residents.

Residents urged to protect public infrastructure

Mr Akwaboa also called on residents to take responsibility for maintaining the facilities being provided in the district.

He said government investment alone would not guarantee the long-term usefulness of the projects without the cooperation of the communities expected to use them.

“The government will do everything to bring facilities to this district, but the people who are going to use it should be able to maintain it,” he said.

Proper maintenance, he stressed, would help protect public investments and ensure that the facilities continued to serve residents for years to come.

Residents welcome development projects

Some residents who spoke to the Daily Graphic commended the government, Mr Ibrahim and the District Assembly for investing in infrastructure to accelerate development in Banda.

A resident, Alhassan Yakubu, said the growing number of public facilities was changing the face of Banda-Ahenkro and creating opportunities to improve access to essential services, promote sporting talents among young people and attract visitors.

He expressed the hope that the projects would be completed on schedule and properly maintained to ensure that communities across the district benefited from the investments.

Mr Yakubu also called for measures to ensure that local people benefited directly from the anticipated growth in tourism and other economic activities.

He said employment opportunities and support for local businesses would be important in ensuring that the district’s development translated into improved livelihoods for residents.

As Banda District continues to expand its public infrastructure, the completion of ongoing projects, effective maintenance and the creation of local economic opportunities will be crucial to sustaining the transformation and achieving its tourism ambitions.