Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has revealed that over 13,000 Ghanaians have sought refuge in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire following the Gbenyiri land dispute.
“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 stated in an interview on Joy FM, Thursday, September 4, 2025.
According to the Minister, the dispute has displaced persons across four regions, including Upper West and Savannah, while many others have fled across 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 said.
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.
He commended the security services for their role in restoring peace and normalcy to the area.
“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.
The minister said the government has been engaging traditional leaders and the Peace Council to restore calm. He stressed that a committee will be set up by Monday to investigate the incident and come up with a report.
“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 “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.”
Muntaka noted that government is working “tirelessly with all the traditional authorities to ensure that normalcy is returned.”
Source:Lovinghananews.com
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