The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has announced that government is preparing to hold a national conference on chieftaincy disputes as part of efforts to curb violent conflicts across the country.

Speaking in a radio interview with Joy FM on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Muntaka explained that chieftaincy disputes remain the leading cause of violent conflicts in Ghana.

He revealed that out of 338 identified conflict hotspots, 190 are directly linked to chieftaincy.

“When you go further, even with secondary issues like land disputes, they eventually trace back to chieftaincy. If we are not careful, chieftaincy will become a big problem for us,” he warned.

Hundreds displaced as women and children flee homes amid violent clashes in Gbiniyiri

On the recent Gbiniyiri clashes in the Savannah Region, the minister disclosed that about 13,253 people had fled to neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.

He cautioned that the mass displacement could worsen food insecurity, as many of the affected persons had abandoned their farms.

“If we don’t resolve this quickly, it is going to lead to a lot of food insecurity in that area,” he said.

Muntaka further indicated that consultations were underway with traditional leaders and the National Peace Council to address the crisis.

“This morning, the leadership of Gonjaland, together with the Peace Council, met with the Yagbonwura. Hopefully, by tomorrow or at least by Monday, we will set up a committee to investigate the matter. Once that is done, we may be able to announce that all displaced persons can return to their homes,” he explained.

On security interventions, the minister confirmed that more than 700 military and police personnel had been deployed to the area, restoring relative calm since the clashes began on August 24, 2025.

“We have over 700 men, both military and police, in that area. I assure you that it’s calm now, almost normal. We haven’t recorded a single shooting incident,” he noted.

He, however, confirmed that 31 people had been killed in the clashes.

“On record, what we have is 31. I can tell you specifically, we’ve lost 31 of our compatriots,” he said.

Gbiniyiri Conflict: NADMO seeks support for over 800 displaced persons in Wenchi

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