By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
The government has established a seven-member mediation committee to resolve the Gbenyiri land conflict in the Savannah Region within a month.
The committee, chaired by Emmanuel Habuka Bombande, includes prominent members such as Alhaji Collins Dauda, an MP, and Rev. Father Lazarus Annyere, Chair of the Savannah Regional Peace Council.
The committee’s mandate is comprehensive, encompassing several key areas. These include facilitating the safe and dignified return of displaced residents to their homes, assessing the scope and dynamics of the conflict to understand its complexities, and evaluating the losses and damages suffered by individuals and communities.
Additionally, the committee is tasked with promoting reconciliation and dialogue among the affected parties, recommending sustainable peace-building mechanisms to prevent future conflicts, and supporting the restoration of livelihoods for those impacted.
Furthermore, it is expected to provide actionable recommendations to strengthen local institutions and enhance their capacity to manage and resolve conflicts effectively.
Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka speaking during the inauguration of the committee emphasized the committee’s critical role in restoring peace and stability to the region.
“The Government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama expects that you will conduct your duties with impartiality, transparency, and inclusiveness, engaging with all stakeholders, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, civil society, and security agencies, so that peace and trust can be rebuilt,” he said.
The minister assured the committee of full logistical and secretariat support from the Ministry and urged them to partner with civil society organizations, development partners, and faith-based institutions in carrying out their work.
He described the task as “heavy but honorable,” stressing that the people of Gbenyiri and surrounding communities were looking up to the committee as “instruments of peace, reconciliation, and healing.”
The Gbenyiri conflict, which began on August 23, 2025, has had devastating consequences. The violent clashes spread to surrounding villages, claiming several lives, destroying property, and displacing more than 50,000 people.
The establishment of this mediation committee is a significant step towards addressing the conflict and restoring peace to the Savannah Region.
The committee’s work is expected to pave the way for long-term stability and development in the area.
The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within one month, providing a roadmap for sustainable peace and development in the region.
With the government’s commitment to peace, security, and social cohesion, there is hope that the Gbenyiri conflict can be resolved effectively, allowing the affected communities to rebuild and thrive.
