Weeks after the guns fell silent, the slow work of rebuilding trust has begun at Gbenyiri and other affected areas where neighbors once turned on one another.
The efforts to mend and rebuild communities of a shattered social fabric by government, traditional authorities and other stakeholders has led to a new wave of hope for the returnees.
On Sunday August 24, 2025, a communal conflict between two feuding factions over a plot of land resulted in the death of 31 people and the displacement of over 48,000.
Gbenyiri, Kalba, Tanchire, Balɛ, were among communities affected by the conflict.
The displaced victims made up mainly of women and children from the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole Districts, fled to different parts of the country with others crossing into neighboring Burkina Faso and La Cote Divoire.
After weeks of mediation, and a call for ceasefire, more of the displaced victims including men, women, children and the aged, have begun returning home to rebuild their lives.
I met the Todo Family from Balee who narrowly escaped death while fleeing into La Cote Divoire.
Todo Abedinego, is the bread winner of the Todo family.
“I escaped death while trying to move my family to Ivory Coast. They, the warriors pointed a gun at me but I escaped before they fired.”
They are now back home after President Mahama’s assurance of their safety and working to rebuild their lives.
“We are back home to rebuild our homes. But that is not without fear” he emphasized.
According to the Savannah regional security Council, over 8,000 displaced victims who fled into neighboring Burkina Faso and La Cot Divoire have returned to their communities.
Closure of Camps
The Sawla Police station provided shelter to over 1,000 displaced victims in the conflict.
It was also a transit point for thousands who were fleeing the conflict into the southern parts of the country.
On September 18, authorities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District closed the camp after the victims were successfully reintegrated into their communities.
Civil Society Support
North Code, a Civil Society Organization on peace building has been at the Sawla camp providing both humanitarian assistance and engaging the feuding factions to lay down their arms.
Technical Lead at North-Code, Dokurgu Andrew Yahaya believes, security will have to remain in the areas affected for sometime to guarantee and reassure returning residents of their safety.
“The security deployed to the area will have to intensify their visibility as the people begin returning into their communities. Once they see the police patrol team around, it will deal with their fears and make them feel safer “
Humanitarian Support
Unicef, OFI Ghana, Zakat Foundation, the China Community in Ghana have all provided assistance to the victims of the Gbenyiri conflict.
Managing Director of OFI, Rapheal Yussif Amankwa called for more support in terms of food to the victims.
The company donated 200 bags of rice and 70 packs of tin tomatoes to support displaced families and security personnel working to restore peace in the area.
“It is very sad and unfortunate to see our people going through such anxiety. We came to pay homage to the chiefs and also to offer our small contribution to support them during this difficult time,” Mr. Amankwa said.
He emphasised that the company’s support extends not only to displaced residents but also to the security agencies working tirelessly to maintain order.
“When there is peace, our business runs smoothly. But in times of conflict, everything slows down drastically. We pray for peace to return so normal activities can resume. One other challenge I see lurking is a potential food insecurity because farms of the victims have been destroyed by animals and that is a threat to food security.“
Even as reintegration efforts continues, the devastating impact of the conflict on the Savannah region as a whole, is huge.
Education, health, agriculture, economic activities and even the social activities of the victims have been greatly affected.
It will certainly take months if not years, to get community life and development back in the affected areas.
Stakeholders and the people are hopeful of rebuilding with peace restored.
Gbenyiri conflict: NADMO closes down Sawla shelter camp as displaced victims return to communities
By Christopher Amoako
