The government is set to begin reviewing and implementing recommendations aimed at restoring lasting peace in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba area following the submission of the final report by the Gbenyiri Mediation Committee to the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.
The Committee, chaired by Emmanuel Bombande, was constituted in September 2025 to address recurring tensions between the Lobi/Birifor and Gonja communities in the Savannah Region. Its mandate focused on promoting dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence after renewed clashes in parts of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba enclave.
Receiving the report, the Interior Minister commended the Committee for what he described as a diligent and painstaking effort to chart a path toward reconciliation. He assured that government would carefully study the recommendations and take concrete steps toward implementation. He also thanked development partners for their support throughout the mediation process and appealed for sustained collaboration to strengthen social cohesion in the affected communities.
Mr. Bombande, in presenting the document, emphasized that conflict resolution requires continuous engagement, trust-building, and sacrifice from all stakeholders. He urged government to prioritize the Committee’s proposals and establish a clear implementation roadmap, including a monitoring mechanism, to ensure the recommendations translate into tangible peace on the ground.
Background to the Conflict
The mediation process followed renewed violence in Gbenyiri and Kalba, where longstanding tensions escalated into deadly clashes. The Chief of Sawla, Iddrisu Abdulai Nugbanso, had alleged that the Member of Parliament for the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba constituency, Andrew Chiwetey Dari, contributed to rising tensions—an allegation that further complicated the fragile situation.
Traditional authorities also alleged that some attackers were brought in from neighboring Côte d’Ivoire and were armed with sophisticated weapons. The violence triggered counter-mobilization by Gonja youth, leading to further destruction and displacement.
The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, with women and children among the most affected. Many families have reportedly sought refuge in other parts of Ghana and across the border.
The submission of the mediation report marks a critical turning point, as stakeholders now look to government action to consolidate peace and prevent a resurgence of violence in the Savannah Region.
