A clash over a piece of land by individuals in Gomoa Akaman and Awuku Bereku has reportedly led to the loss of a life. According to reports, about five individuals have been injured.

Those who got injured by sustaining gunshot wounds and machete wounds have been taken to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

Sources say the land in question has been under litigation for years. Nkosouhene of the Anona family of Awutu Beraku, Nai Kweku Adawu, is claimed to have said he had a court judgement in his favour. He then instructed a group of men whose services he hired to grade the said piece of land.

However, a group of armed men and weapons launched an attack against them. The Awutu Traditional Council, on the other hand, is calling on the government, as a matter of urgency, to find an amicable solution to the boundary disputes in the area.

In a related event, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, is leading a high-level security delegation to the Savannah Region following communal violence that is reported to have claimed the lives of six (6) individuals.

The altercation at Gbiniyiri that occurred due to a dispute over a portion of land occurred on Sunday, August 24. Over the weekend, it was reported that the violent attacks led to the untimely demise of five individuals and left six (6) others injured, with three (3) in critical condition.

The violence continued, and on Monday, August 25, an individual was shot dead, bringing the total deaths to six. Per reports, about eighteen (18) people have been injured, with some in critical condition.

Several properties have been destroyed, with residents displaced due to the land dispute in Gbinyiri, a farming community in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region. The chaos is reportedly over a piece of land sold by a chief to a private developer.

District Chief Executive (DCE) for Salwa-Tuna-Kalba, Sinkina Saaka, told the media that some community members resisted when the developer later attempted to work on the land. This birthed the tension that has escalated.

“It all started when the chief sold a piece of land to the developer some years ago. When the developer came to work on the land, the community members prevented him. The chief and his son later visited the community to ascertain the situation and were physically attacked,” Mr. Saaka recounted.

Due to the loss of lives and destruction of properties, a joint team of military and police personnel was deployed to the community. Apparently, tension remains high, now prompting the IGP and his team to visit the area.

The team from the National Police Headquarters is expected to engage chiefs, opinion leaders, and community representatives to discuss several issues.

“We urge all parties to remain calm and work with the security teams to ensure lasting peace in the area,” the Service said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Mr Saaka has revealed that the District Security Council is working with the regional security to intensify patrols. The leaders of the parties involved have been entreated to find an amicable solution.

Conflict in other areas in the country

Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has reviewed the earlier curfew hours imposed on Bawku and Nalerigu townships owing to recent attacks.

The earlier curfew that ran from 6am to 2pm has been revised to 6pm to 6am. The minister took this decision after receiving advice from the National Security Council. The Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region and the East Mamprusi Municipality in the North East Region are affected.

The curfew created an environment conducive for the evacuation of all students in various educational institutions in affected areas, some of whom have been unfortunately targeted in the conflict.

Unknown assailants on Saturday evening, July 26, claimed the lives of two male students of Nalerigu Senior High School (SHS) in the Northern Region. According to reports, the armed group stormed the school premises, proceeded to the dormitory, and opened fire on the two students—Lukman and Gideon.

Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area, Dasmani Fuseini, and uncle to one of the deceased students, is said to have confirmed the attack to the media. The remains of the deceased students were released to the families for burial.

The police have commenced an investigation into the murder of the students that has been linked to the renewed Bawku conflict. Management of Nalerigu Senior High School is yet to officially comment on the matter as school students mourn the loss of their colleagues. Also, communities close to the second cycle institutions are in a state of shock.

There is a total ban on all persons in the Nalerigu township and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons. As such, any individual found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.

The government has called on the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace.

The government, in a statement issued on July 27, announced that it is stepping up its approach from peacekeeping to peace enforcement in Bawku and other affected areas due to the recent escalation of violence, which could derail the peacebuilding process.

The Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed to maintain law and order and take all necessary measures to protect lives and property. Residents have been advised to fully cooperate with the Ghana Armed Forces to ensure peace.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has emphasised that it will employ all the necessary force to ensure peace prevails in Bawku, Upper East Region.

In a press release, the Acting Director General of Public Relations, VA Arhin, explained that the new development follows a recent directive by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.

According to the military, its new strategies will focus on conflict zone areas, such as Bawku, Binduri, Nalerigu, and Zebilla, to restore calm and prevent further escalation.

"The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to inform the general public that following the directive by the President of the Republic and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the Ghana Armed Forces has, with immediate effect, transitioned to peace enforcement has become necessary due to the activities of armed elements that have intermittently resulted in violence, reprisal attacks and innocent deaths highlighting a dangerous pattern that threatens not only Bawku but also the peace and security of our dear Nation.

“Ghana Armed Forces operations during this period will be conducted in areas to include Bawku, Binduri, Nalerigu and Zebilla. This peace enforcement phase will see the Military undertake robust and purposeful operations that would enhance community protection, while ensuring sanity returns to affected areas,” parts of the release read.