Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has disclosed that more than 13,000 Ghanaians have crossed into Côte d’Ivoire following violent clashes over the Gbinyiri land dispute.
According to him, official records from Ivorian authorities put the figure at 13,253 refugees.
“As of yesterday, September 3, 2025, 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,” the minister revealed in an interview with Accra-based Joy FM on September 4, 2025.
He explained that the violence has triggered displacements across four regions, with many still stranded in Upper West and Savannah, while a significant number fled into Côte d’Ivoire through riverine communities.
“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 said.
Muntaka assured that the government, district assemblies, and international partners are mobilising relief for the 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 commended the security services for their dedication despite intense pressure.
“My special thanks go to them [security services] because, believe me, they have been overworked. 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,” the minister added.
The Interior Minister further disclosed that the government is engaging traditional leaders and the Peace Council to restore calm.
“This morning [September 4], 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 [September 5] or at least by Monday [September 8], 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 said.
He indicated that displaced families may soon be allowed to return home once peace is restored.
“Once we sit at the committee and today’s meeting with Yagbonwura concludes very well, we may be able to announce to all the displaced persons to return to their homes because of this farming season.
“Many of them left their animals and their farms, and all those were left unattended. If we don’t resolve this quickly, it will lead to a lot of food insecurity in that area,” he warned.
The incident, which has now escalated to about 12 communities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region, has also resulted in the displacement of about 48,000 people, mostly women and children, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has said.
About 14,000 victims have crossed into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire to seek refuge, while thousands of others are being camped in makeshift tents at Sawla under the care of the Ghana Red Cross and NADMO.
The incident, which started on Sunday, August 24, 2025, was reportedly triggered by a disagreement over a parcel of land.
The official death toll could be much higher, with some residents claiming more than 200 people could have been killed since the clashes broke out.
Aside from that, some of the displaced are also said to have drowned while attempting to cross the Black Volta River into Côte d’Ivoire.
