Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on displaced victims of the Gbenyiri conflict who are still living in camps across the border in the Ivory Coast to return to their homes, assuring them of full security and government support.
The appeal came during a courtesy visit by the Minister to displaced residents who fled to the Ivory Coast after violent clashes erupted in Gbenyiri and its surrounding communities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region on August 23, 2025.
The conflict, triggered by a land dispute, quickly spiraled into a deadly crisis, claiming lives, destroying property, and forcing more than 50,000 people to flee their homes. While many sought refuge in temporary camps in Ghana, others crossed into neighboring Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast to escape the violence.
Addressing the displaced victims in the Ivory Coast, Hon. Ablakwa delivered a firm assurance on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama that conditions back home had improved and that it was safe to return.
“Now, the latest census that has been conducted indicates that you have reduced to about 5,309, and so that means that more than half have returned. We want to encourage all of you to return”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa highlighted the interventions put in place by President Mahama to ensure stability and protect lives. These include a massive deployment of security forces, the establishment of security camps, and the formation of a mediation committee tasked with reconciling traditional leaders on all sides of the dispute.
He stressed that calm had been restored in the conflict-hit areas, adding that no further clashes had been recorded since these measures were rolled out.
“So I’m here to deliver a message to you from the President that it is time to go back, don’t be scared, you will meet adequate security, you will be safe, so we encourage you to go back.”
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Returnees are Safe
The Minister explained that those who had already returned home were safe and had resumed their normal lives. He noted that their decision to remain in their communities without fleeing back to the Ivory Coast or other places was clear evidence that peace had returned.
“Almost 8,000 people who returned have not come back in a couple of days now, they are doing very well, they are okay, they are being fully protected”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa, who made a stopover in the affected communities on his way to the Ivory Coast, said he had personally witnessed scenes of restored normalcy. People were back on their farms, engaging in domestic chores, and moving freely in the communities.
“I can confirm that from what I saw, normalcy has returned, and people are going about their everyday activities. I saw some people on the farms, some cooking in the open, some washing, so I can attest that everything is safe”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Minister also expressed worry about the prolonged stay of some displaced families outside Ghana, particularly the impact on children’s education. He stressed that with schools in session, the absence of pupils due to displacement could have serious long-term consequences on their academic performance and future prospects.
“We are not happy with this situation, schools are in session, our children have to be in school, and we are really concerned that if you stay here it will affect the academics, to affect their future, so we want to appeal to you”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Logistical Support
Hon. Ablakwa assured the victims that logistical support would be provided to assist their return, including transportation and reintegration assistance. He reiterated that the government remained committed to protecting its safety and well-being.
“We are willing to help you, to assist you, to offer the needed logistical support for you to go back to your homes because everything has been resolved, and it is safe for you now to return. Please listen to President Mahama, trust us, we will protect you, please go back home, you’ll be safe”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Foreign Affairs Minister’s appeal comes after the Interior Minister, Hon. Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, announced last week that 65 percent of the displaced victims had already returned. The Interior Ministry is targeting the full recovery and reintegration of all those who were uprooted by the conflict.
The Gbenyiri clashes, which left behind devastation and grief, remain one of the most serious communal conflicts to hit the Savannah Region in recent years.
With lives lost, homes razed, and livelihoods disrupted, government intervention has focused not only on restoring law and order but also on ensuring reconciliation among traditional authorities and preventing reprisal attacks.
Chiefs in the area have assured the government that they are taking responsibility for reining in their youth and discouraging further violence.
As Ghana continues to rebuild Gbenyiri and the surrounding communities, the government’s priority, according to Hon. Ablakwa, is to restore hope, dignity, and stability for those displaced. His visit underscored a broader message: that the time for return, reconciliation, and reconstruction has come.
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