Joseph Abaa Akaseke: Bongo DCE Dies After Short Illness
- The local government head for the Bongo district, Joseph Abaa Akaseke, has been reported dead after a short illness
- The Bongo Constituency Chairman of the ruling NDC, Alhaji Tahiru Aberinga, confirmed the passing to the media
- Akaseke served as the District Chief Executive for Bongo since April 21, 2025, after his appointment by the president
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bongo, Joseph Abaa Akaseke, has reportedly passed on.
The Bongo District Assembly and the wider Upper East Region have been thrown into mourning following his death.
Source: Facebook
Although the exact cause of death has not been officially disclosed, the Bongo Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Tahiru Aberinga, confirmed his passing to Graphic Online.
Akaseke reportedly died in the early hours of Monday, February 23, 2026, after a short illness at Eastside Life Hospital in Bolgatanga.
News of his death has sent shockwaves across the district and the region, with residents, party members and colleagues expressing deep sorrow over what many have described as a sudden and painful loss.
Mike FM also reported that the DCE had been confirmed as the DCE on April 21.
Various groups have been paying tribute to Akaseke on Facebook, with Pama Networks, for example, describing him as one of a kind.
"Honourable Joseph Abaa Akaseke, your vision for Bongo District was one of a kind. Rest In Peace Honourable!!!"
Before he was appointed the local government head, Akaseke had served the people of Zorko-Goo-Awaah as an Assembly Member for three consecutive terms.
The late DCE also held several positions within the NDC, including Bongo Constituency Youth Organiser and, later, Constituency Secretary in 2022.
In addition to his political career, Akaseke worked as a storekeeper at the Sirigu Integrated Senior High School and the Zuarungu Senior High School.
Source: UGC
Bole DCE survives road crash
Meanwhile, the DCE for Bole, Abdulai Mahamud, was involved in a road crash on December 9, 2026, while travelling to Tamale for an official assignment.
The incident occurred at Galinzegu, near Sankpagla, in the Central Gonja District along the Yapei-Tamale Highway in the Savannah Region.
Mahamud was said to be in a stable condition and receiving the necessary medical attention right after the crash.
PURC Board Chairman dies in April 2025
In another notable death from the region, the Board Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Professor Thomas Mba Akabzaa, died a few weeks after he was appointed.
He died at the University of Ghana (UG) Medical Centre on April 17, 2025, with no cause of death being made public.
Before his appointment to the PURC Board, Prof Akabzaa had served at the Department of Earth Science at the UG, where his scholarly work in mining, environment, and natural resources earned him over 2,289 citations.
Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law reportedly murdered
YEN.com.gh also previously reported that the father-in-law of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod), Sammy Gyamfi, had died.
According to Asaase Radio, he passed away days after sustaining gunshot wounds during a purported armed robbery at his home on February 13, 2026.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
