United Nations (UN) Eminent Peace Ambassador, Samuel Ben Owusu, has joined calls for calm in the ongoing Gbiniyiri land conflict, urging all factions to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
According to Ambassador Owusu, no matter the underlying issues, violence is never the solution. He emphasized that dialogue—not weapons—is the only way forward.
“We all know that we do not solve issues with cutlasses and guns. We are one people and like siblings. Even if the land belongs to your brother, it still belongs to all of you,” he said.
“I plead with our brothers in the district to sit with their elders and reflect. Ask yourselves: if you die in this conflict, what will become of your children? Who will take care of them?” he added.
The Peace Advocate continued, “Drop the guns and knives. Let us sit and talk. Dialogue brings peace, and peace is what will allow us to develop our nation.”
Violent clashes erupted on August 23, 2025, in Gbiniyiri, located in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region. The conflict has since spread to surrounding villages, resulting in multiple fatalities, widespread destruction of property, and the displacement of over 50,000 people.
In response, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has inaugurated a seven-member mediation committee with a one-month mandate to resolve the land dispute.
Ambassador Owusu also stressed the importance of proactive conflict prevention in Ghana.
“It’s time Ghana begins to take conflicts seriously—before they start and after they end. We saw some violent incidents during the 2024 elections, and they should have served as a warning. If care is not taken, especially with the way some youth are behaving, we could see more threats to our peace,” he cautioned.
While acknowledging Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful country, he warned against complacency.
“The country is generally peaceful, but if people are pulling guns at the slightest provocation, it’s a cause for concern. I urge the President to use intelligence resources effectively to manage these issues before they escalate and spiral out of control,” he stated.
Touching on the humanitarian toll of the conflict, Ambassador Owusu emphasized that every life matters and called on the government to do more to protect its citizens.
