Our History & Evolution
Over four decades of dedicated service translating the Catholic Church’s mission of charity, human dignity, compassion, and social justice into concrete actions in Northern Ghana.
Establishment of NABOCADO
The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO) was established as the social development wing of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo–Bolgatanga.
From its inception, NABOCADO focused on human development, rural livelihoods, and humanitarian support for vulnerable populations, rooting its interventions deeply in Catholic Social Teaching and community service.
Establishment of Good Governance, Justice and Peace Directorate
As societal challenges evolved—particularly land conflicts, chieftaincy disputes, and climate-related pressures—the need for a dedicated peace and justice structure became urgent. The Directorate of Good Governance, Justice and Peace was formally established to lead efforts in conflict prevention, mediation, and community reconciliation.
This directorate later evolved into the Justice, Peace and Humanitarian Response (JPHR) Directorate, expanding its mandate to cover emergency action, refugee response, protection services, and psychosocial care.
Investing in Local Peace Infrastructures
The JPHR Directorate began heavily investing in community-owned peace infrastructures. This included coordinating initiatives such as the INPEACE project, Regional Interfaith Advocacy Platforms, Justice and Peace Committees, and School Peace Clubs.
These mechanisms have contributed significantly to restoring calm in conflict-prone areas such as Bunkpurugu, Yunyoo, Kandiga–Doba, Bolgatanga, and Bawku.
Cross-Border Humanitarian Response
The arrival of Burkinabe asylum seekers from 2019 onward marked a major turning point in JPHR’s operational history, solidifying its dual mandate of humanitarian intervention and peacebuilding.
Key Humanitarian Milestones:
- 2020: Delivered critical protection support to over 19,000 flood-affected persons across the Upper East and North East regions.
- 2021-2022: Supported conflict recovery and shelter reconstruction during the Doba-Kandiga Crisis.
- 2023-2025: Partnered with UNHCR and Caritas Ghana to deliver integrated humanitarian services to over 8,000 asylum seekers at the Tarikom Refugee Reception Centre.
Health & Institutional Strengthening
Looking to the future, NABOCADO's Health Programmes Directorate is guided by the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, committed to delivering comprehensive, community-centered health services.
We are expanding healthcare delivery to underserved areas, improving maternal and child nutrition, promoting WASH initiatives, and increasing care for persons with mental health conditions and disabilities.
Our Continued Commitment
Today, NABOCADO stands as a leading humanitarian and peacebuilding actor in Ghana, operating across all 15 districts of the Upper East Region, 5 districts of the North East Region, and vital border communities linking Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Togo. We remain dedicated to promoting equitable access to social services, climate justice, and peacebuilding for the improved wellbeing of all people.