Bawku, one of the brisk commercial towns in Northern Ghana, has suffered major economic setback in recent times due to series of factors, the main one being instability.

A Ghana News Agency survey showed that the other factor responsible for the decline in commerce in Bawku is that it has no central market. An old one was demolished about five years ago for re-construction under the urban three projects.

However, the execution of the project suffered a setback due to the death of the contractor in a motor accident shortly after work begun. Virtually every part of Bawku is now a market with mini-markets dotting all parts of the town the people deem appropriate.

Ironically, two other markets near Bawku - Bazua and Zebilla - are growing at a faster pace with traders from the Northern Region, Upper West and some parts of the Brong Ahafo Regions patronising them.

An interview with the business community in Bawku revealed that some businessmen and women from Bawku have re-located their businesses to other parts of the region notably Bolgatanga and Zebilla.

While some traders felt secure doing business in Bawku, others said they did not, citing the general insecurity and the decline in commercial activities as their reasons.

The decline in business is further reflected in the assembly's revenue mobilisation. It collected 507.2 million cedis as against an estimated revenue target of 749.3 million cedis at the end of December 2001.

The District Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Ibrahim Alhassan attributed the assembly's plight to looting of its coffers by revenue collectors in the wake of the conflict last December.