31 Dead, Nearly 50,000 Displaced as Land Dispute Sparks Violence in Ghana

Ghana Land Dispute Turns Deadly: 31 Killed, 48,000 Displaced in Savannah Region

A land dispute in Ghana’s Savannah Region has escalated into deadly communal clashes, leaving at least 31 people dead and displacing nearly 50,000 residents. The violence, which erupted on Sunday, August 24, in Gbiniyiri village near the Ivory Coast border, spread rapidly to about a dozen neighboring communities.

The unrest began when a local chief sold land to a private developer without community approval. Resistance to the developer’s attempts to take possession led to violent confrontations and the burning of the chief’s palace.

Thousands Cross Into Ivory Coast: According to Ghana’s Interior Minister, Mubarak Muntaka, 13,253 people have fled into Ivory Coast, a figure confirmed by Ivorian authorities. Philippe Hien, president of the Bounkani Regional Council, revealed that the displaced are now scattered across 17 Ivorian villages. He warned that the region is already under strain, hosting over 30,000 refugees from conflict-torn Burkina Faso.

Humanitarian Emergency: Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) confirmed that nearly 48,000 people—mostly women and children—have been displaced within Ghana. Conditions in temporary shelters are worsening, with overcrowding and food shortages reported. Many displaced families abandoned their farms and livestock, raising fears of long-term food insecurity.

Savannah Regional NADMO Director Zakaria Mahama noted that although no new violence has been reported in the past five days, displaced families remain in dire need of food and basic relief.

Security Response and Curfew: The government has deployed over 700 police officers and soldiers to the conflict-hit areas, alongside the enforcement of a regional curfew. Savannah Regional Minister Salisu Bi-Awuribe said security forces, chiefs, and elders are working together to restore peace, with signs of stability slowly returning.

Government Moves to Address Root Causes: To prevent future violence, the government is setting up an investigative committee involving traditional rulers and the National Peace Council. The committee will examine the root causes of the land dispute and work toward reconciliation between rival factions.

Communal conflicts over land ownership and chieftaincy disputes are not uncommon in northern Ghana. However, the scale of displacement in this recent clash is unusually severe, raising concerns about humanitarian aid, food security, and regional stability.