By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
A girl named Adisa walks through the charred remains of her village in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of Ghana’s Savannah Region. The heat of the fire fused her doll’s head to its body. Her homecoming is a grim reality that awaits thousands of Ghanaians returning from exile, driven by the deadly Gbeniyiri conflict.
Their journey back from Côte d’Ivoire was not a simple return; it was a painful pilgrimage to what was left of their lives. They are not just statistics in a government report; they are mothers and fathers, children and elders, grappling with the trauma of a conflict that stole their homes, their livelihoods, and their sense of security. While the government celebrates their return, a question lingers: what awaits them in the ruins? And for the 5,000 who remain in refuge, what will it take to convince them to come home? This is the untold story of the Gbeniyiri crisis—a story of resilience, deep-seated fear, and the long, arduous road to true peace.
The Genesis of a Crisis
The Gbeniyiri conflict, a name now synonymous with tragedy in northern Ghana, began with a fundamental betrayal of trust. A local chief sold ancestral land to a private developer without the consensus of the broader community. This unilateral act, a violation of traditional land governance, ignited simmering tensions between the Gonja and Lobi ethnic groups. It’s a tale as old as time: land, identity, and power. The clashes claimed 31 lives, with 18 more injured, and displaced nearly 50,000 people internally. At its peak, the violence forced 13,000 Ghanaians to seek refuge in neighboring Côte d’Ivoire. The total devastation, including destroyed homes and farms, underscores how a single land dispute can unravel an entire community.
A Strategic Region Awaits Its People
The Gbeniyiri area, located in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of Ghana’s vast Savannah Region, is not just another remote community; it is a vital part of the nation’s agricultural backbone. The Savannah Region is the largest in Ghana and is a key producer of yams and other tubers, which are critical for both local food security and the national economy. The conflict and displacement have crippled agricultural output in the region, creating a significant economic void. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s mission to facilitate the return of the refugees is not merely a humanitarian gesture but a strategic imperative. The government understands that restoring stability and getting its citizens back on the land is essential for reviving the local economy and securing Ghana’s broader food supply chain. This explains the urgency and political pressure to convince the remaining refugees to return. According to an official statement from his ministry, the minister affirmed that “the welfare and safety of all Ghanaians around the world will continue to be a priority for the Mahama Administration.”
The Economics of Displacement
The Gbeniyiri conflict’s impact extends far beyond the human toll. It has had a devastating economic effect on the entire Savannah Region. “We lost everything,” said a returning farmer, pointing to his barren field. “My yam farm, my cows, all gone. How do I start again?” The loss of agricultural productivity, a cornerstone of the region’s economy, will have long-term consequences. According to a recent analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), intense conflicts can lower a country’s annual growth by an average of 2.5 percentage points. While the Ghanaian government has provided a cash donation of 6 million CFA francs ($9,800, or approximately 109,700 Ghana cedis), this is widely seen as a symbolic gesture, not a solution to the massive economic displacement. The cost of rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods is estimated to be in the tens of millions of Ghana cedis, a burden the government cannot carry alone.
The Logistical Challenges of Return
Beyond the emotional and economic burdens, the returning refugees face immediate and significant logistical hurdles. The roads connecting Vonkoro to the affected communities are in poor condition, making the journey difficult and dangerous. “We came back on foot and in crowded vehicles,” a young man told reporters, “There was no official transport for everyone. Many of our elders struggled.” The lack of safe and organized transport, combined with destroyed infrastructure like schools and health clinics, raises serious questions about the sustainability of the return process. The government’s efforts must now pivot from a one-time appeal to a sustained, well-funded resettlement program that provides essential services and infrastructure.
A Nation’s Conflicting Narratives
Mr. Ablakwa’s recent mission to Vonkoro, Côte d’Ivoire, was a critical step in demonstrating the government’s commitment. However, while officials like Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka express confidence in the “steady progress” and the return of “more than 65% of the people,” the narrative on the ground is more complex.
“We came back, but to what?” asks a Gonja woman who lost her home in Gbeniyiri. “My children ask me when we will have a new house. The government says we are safe, but we are still sleeping in makeshift shelters. Peace is not just the absence of fighting; it is having a place to call home and knowing you will not be attacked again.” Her words echo the sentiments of many who have returned to face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
This sentiment is a key reason why the remaining 5,000 refugees are still in Côte d’Ivoire. A Lobi elder in Vonkoro, who chose to remain, stated, “We hear about new tensions. A few weeks ago, there were reports of arson attacks in Kalba. It is a sign that the root cause has not been resolved. We are grateful to the Ivorian government for their shelter, but we cannot return until we are sure our lives will not be in danger again.”
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also weighed in, highlighting the political dimension of the crisis. A spokesperson from the Savannah Region stated, “The government’s efforts are a good start, but they must be sustained. This is not just a humanitarian issue; it is a governance issue. The land tenure system needs a complete overhaul to prevent future conflicts.”
The Unseen Wounds A Psychological Crisis
The physical destruction of homes and property is a visible scar, but the psychological trauma of the Gbeniyiri conflict is an invisible wound. Refugees, both those who have returned and those still in exile, face a higher risk of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), refugees are more likely to experience these conditions than the general population. The constant fear, loss of family, and disruption of life and culture can have long-lasting effects. Without dedicated mental health support, these individuals face a “second displacement”—exiled from their own well-being. The community, too, is a casualty. A key protective factor for displaced people is strong community support. With their social fabric torn apart, the path to healing is made even harder.
Traditional Leaders Forge Paths to Peace
While government and political actors play a crucial role, traditional leaders have been at the forefront of mediation and healing. The Yagbonwura, the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, has taken a powerful step by dedicating the 2025 Damba festival to the victims of the conflict and the helicopter crash. This gesture of traditional leadership is a crucial step towards healing. “Our people are hurting,” the Yagbonwura said in a statement. “We must show them that peace is not just a promise, but a reality we are building together, chiefdom by chiefdom, village by village.” Such statements resonate deeply with communities who often look to their traditional leaders for stability and guidance in times of crisis.
A Shared African Story
The Gbeniyiri conflict is a microcosm of a larger problem plaguing the African continent: land disputes and ethnic tensions fueling displacement. Similar crises have erupted in other parts of Africa. For instance, in Nigeria, decades-old disputes between nomadic pastoralists and settled farmers over land and water resources have resulted in deadly clashes, displacing thousands. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, ethnic violence driven by competition for resources has left millions displaced. The Gbeniyiri crisis, like these conflicts, serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between tradition, modernity, and governance.
The Long Road to Reconciliation
The successful return of 8,000 refugees is a testament to the power of peacebuilding, but full reconciliation is a long and arduous process. President John Mahama’s administration has deployed security forces and established a mediation committee, but a lasting solution must go beyond these immediate measures. It requires addressing the underlying issues of land governance and ethnic dialogue. The Ghanaian government must not only ensure the safety of the returnees but also provide comprehensive rehabilitation support, including housing, food, and opportunities for rebuilding livelihoods. International organizations such as the International Red Cross (ICRC), UNHCR, and local NGOs must play a critical role in providing not just material aid but also psychological support to help the victims cope with the trauma. Until the remaining 5,000 feel safe enough to return, the scars of the Gbeniyiri conflict will remain, a painful reminder that while many have returned home, the journey to true peace is far from over.
