Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka has inaugurated a seven-member mediation committee to address the Gbenyiri land conflict in the Savannah Region, a violent dispute that has claimed lives and displaced tens of thousands in recent weeks.
The committee, inaugurated at the Interior Ministry in Accra, has been given a one-month mandate to present recommendations aimed at restoring peace, security, and social cohesion.
The mediation committee will be chaired by Mr. Emmanuel Habuka Bombande, a respected conflict resolution expert, with support from Alhaji Collins Dauda, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, and Rev. Father Lazarus Annyere, Chair of the Savannah Regional Peace Council.
Other members include Dr. Festus Aubyn of the West Africa Network for Peace-building, Sylvia Hormane Noagbesenu of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Professor Ramatu Alhassan, and Dr. George Amoh, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, who will serve as secretary.
According to Minister Muntaka, the decision to establish the committee was taken by the National Security Council as part of the government’s broader commitment to peace and reconciliation.
He explained that the composition of the committee reflects the government’s determination to draw on diverse expertise and experience in conflict resolution, peace-building, and community engagement.
Outlining the committee’s terms of reference, the minister said its duties would include facilitating the safe and dignified return of displaced residents, assessing the scope and underlying dynamics of the conflict, and evaluating the extent of damage and losses suffered by affected communities.
The committee will also promote reconciliation and dialogue among disputing factions, recommend sustainable peace-building mechanisms, support the restoration of livelihoods, and provide actionable proposals to strengthen local institutions in conflict management.
“The Government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama expects that you will carry out your duties with impartiality, transparency, and inclusiveness, engaging all relevant stakeholders, including traditional authorities, opinion leaders, civil society, and security agencies, so that peace and trust can be rebuilt.”
Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka
He added that the government views the role of the committee as critical in ensuring that affected communities find closure and a way forward after weeks of tension.
Commitment to Committee’s Work
Hon. Muntaka pledged the Interior Ministry’s full logistical and secretariat support to the committee, urging members to also collaborate with civil society organizations, development partners, and faith-based groups.
He described the task before the team as “heavy but honorable,” emphasizing that the people of Gbenyiri and surrounding communities were relying on them as “instruments of peace, reconciliation, and healing.”
The Gbenyiri conflict, which began on August 23, 2025, in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, quickly escalated into violent clashes that spread to neighboring villages.
The disturbances have resulted in several deaths, widespread destruction of property, and the displacement of more than 50,000 residents. The sheer scale of the humanitarian impact has made the resolution of the conflict an urgent national priority.
Speaking on the expectations of government, the Interior Minister urged the committee to focus not only on immediate peace but also on long-term stability. He stressed the importance of creating durable structures for reconciliation and coexistence so that future disputes do not degenerate into violence.
The mediation committee is expected to consult widely during its one-month mandate. Members are to meet with displaced residents, traditional leaders, youth groups, religious leaders, and local security agencies. Their recommendations, once submitted, will guide government and local authorities in implementing measures that can bring an end to the cycle of violence in the area.
Inaugurating the committee, Hon. Muntaka reminded members of the need to act swiftly and decisively, given the scale of the displacement and the urgency of restoring stability. He called on all parties to cooperate fully with the mediation process and to put the interest of peace above entrenched positions.
The government’s decision to establish a broad-based committee, bringing together voices from parliament, the peace council, academia, civil society, and faith-based organizations, signals a deliberate attempt to ensure inclusiveness and credibility in the process.
For many residents of Gbenyiri and the wider Savannah Region, the committee’s work offers the best hope for an end to a conflict that has disrupted lives and livelihoods for weeks.
The final report, expected within one month, is anticipated to provide a framework not only for addressing immediate grievances but also for laying the foundation for sustainable peace and development in the area.
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