Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has said that more than 13,000 Ghanaians have fled across the border into Côte d’Ivoire following the Gbiniyiri land dispute.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, September 4, the minister revealed the latest figures from Ivorian authorities.
“As of yesterday, working with the Ivorian authorities, we can confirm that about 13,000 individuals are in Côte d’Ivoire. The exact number communicated to us by the government is 13,253,” he said.
Mr Mubarak explained that the violence has displaced people across four regions, with some remaining internally displaced in Upper West and Savannah, while many others fled across the border.
“We have displaced persons across about four regions… some substantial number also crossed the river. If you know the terrain very well, it has a border community with Côte d’Ivoire,” he added.
The minister assured that the government, local assemblies, and international partners are working to support those affected.
“We are supporting them the best that we can, and let me take this opportunity to also thank the government of Côte d’Ivoire for the support that they are giving us in the cooperation, and then the UNHCR for their support,” he noted.
He also praised Ghana’s security services for their role.
“My special thanks goes to them because, believe me, they have been over sweat. We thank them so much for the sacrifice that they are making. We don’t take their sacrifices lightly. We know they are doing the best that they can to keep our country safe,” he said.
The minister said the government has been engaging traditional leaders and the Peace Council to restore calm.
“This morning, the delegation of the Gonjaland leadership with the peace council is meeting the Yagbonwura. And I’m very optimistic about the way we are working. Hopefully by tomorrow or at least by Monday, we are setting up a committee to investigate all this and then come out with a report on how best we can avoid this from recurring,” he stated.
He added that authorities were considering allowing displaced families to return home soon, once conditions were safe.
“Once we sit at the committee and today’s meeting with Yagbonwura concludes very well, we may be able to announce for all the displaced persons to return to their home because of this farming season. Many of them left their animals, their farms, and all those are left unattended. If we don’t resolve this quickly, it will lead to a lot of food insecurity in that area,” the Minister warned.
He said that the government is working “tirelessly with all the traditional authorities to ensure that normalcy is returned.”
Source: Clara Seshie
