Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has said the Gbenyiri land dispute has sent more than 13,000 Ghanaians across the border to neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.
The Minister, speaking on the foul development at the northern part of the country on Joy FM Thursday, September 4, 2025, indicated that the official figures the Ivorian authorities have submitted to the government so far is over 13,000.
“As of yesterday, working with the Ivorian authorities, we can confirm that about 13,000 individuals are in Côte d’Ivoire. The exact number communicated to us by the government is 13,253,” he said.
According to Muntaka, the many residents within the conflict areas have equally been displaced across four regions, while some are internally displaced in the Upper West and Savannah regions, with others going beyond the border.
“We have displaced persons across about four regions… some substantial number also crossed the river. If you know the terrain very well, it has a border community with Côte d’Ivoire,” he added.
The minister assured that the government, local assemblies, and international partners are working to support those affected.
“We are supporting them the best that we can, and let me take this opportunity to also thank the government of Côte d’Ivoire for the support that they are giving us in the cooperation, and then the UNHCR for their support,” he noted.
The Minister also lauded the efforts of Ghana’s security services for the role they have played so far, regarding the ongoing conflict.
“My special thanks goes to them because, believe me, they have been oversweat. We thank them so much for the sacrifice that they are making. We don’t take their sacrifices lightly. We know they are doing the best that they can to keep our country safe,” he said.
He also disclosed that plans are far advanced between the government and traditional leaders, as well as the National Peace Council to resolve the conflict.
“This morning, the delegation of the Gonjaland leadership with the peace council is meeting the Yagbonwura. And I’m very optimistic about the way we are working. Hopefully by tomorrow or at least by Monday, we are setting up a committee to investigate all this and then come out with a report on how best we can avoid this from recurring,” he stated.
He added that authorities were considering allowing displaced families to return home soon, once conditions were safe.
“Once we sit at the committee and today’s meeting with Yagbonwura concludes very well, we may be able to announce to all the displaced persons to return to their homes because of this farming season. Many of them left their animals and their farms, and all those were left unattended. If we don’t resolve this quickly, it will lead to a lot of food insecurity in that area,” the minister cautioned.
He said that the government is working “tirelessly with all the traditional authorities to ensure that normalcy is returned.”
Mahama sends delegation to Yagbonwura to discuss means to end Gbenyiri conflict
