Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed-Muntaka has inaugurated a seven-member mediation committee tasked with resolving the Gbenyiri land conflict in the Savannah Region within one month.
The violent clashes, which erupted on August 23, 2025, in Gbenyiri, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, have since spread to nearby villages, claiming several lives, destroying property, and displacing more than 50,000 people.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the Interior Ministry in Accra on Monday, September 8, 2025, Muntaka said the committee was formed on the directive of the National Security Council, reflecting government’s commitment to peace, security, and social cohesion.
The committee’s terms of reference include facilitating the safe return of displaced residents, assessing the conflict’s scope and impact, evaluating losses, promoting reconciliation and dialogue, recommending sustainable peace-building measures, supporting livelihood restoration, and strengthening local institutions.
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“The Government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama expects that you will conduct your duties with impartiality, transparency, and inclusiveness, engaging all stakeholders, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, civil society, and security agencies, so that peace and trust can be rebuilt,” the Interior Minister said.
Muntaka assured the committee of full logistical and secretariat support from the ministry and encouraged collaboration with civil society organisations, development partners, and faith-based institutions.
He described their task as “heavy but honourable,” stressing that the people of Gbenyiri and surrounding communities view the committee as “instruments of peace, reconciliation, and healing.”
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Chaired by Emmanuel Habuka Bombande, the committee comprises Alhaji Collins Dauda (MP and Chair of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee), Reverend Father Lazarus Annyere (Chair of the Savannah Regional Peace Council), Dr Festus Aubyn (West Africa Network for Peace-building), Sylvia Hormane Noagbesenu Esq. (Ag. Director of Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre), Professor Ramatu Alhassan, and Dr George Amoh (Executive Secretary, National Peace Council), who will serve as secretary.
The committee is expected to submit its recommendations by early October 2025 to help restore long-term peace and stability in the Savannah Region.
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