Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka with the committee members
The Government of Ghana, has set up a seven-member mediation committee to find lasting solutions to the Gbiniyiri conflict in Savannah Region.
The committee, inaugurated by Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has been tasked to probe the incident and find lasting peace in Gbiniyiri and its surrounding areas affected by the conflict.
The committee is chaired by Emmanuel Bombande, a renowned conflict resolution expert, and includes members Alhaji Collins Dauda, Reverend Father Lazarus Annyere, Dr. Festus Aubyn, Sylvia Hormane Noagbesenu, Professor Ramatu Alhassan, and Dr. George Amoh, who serves as the secretary.
The committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations to the government within one month.
Minister Muntaka disclosed that the committee’s mandate include facilitating the return of residents who have fled their communities, assessing the conflict’s impact, reconciling feuding groups, and recommending peace-building and institutional strengthening mechanisms.
He urged committee members to ensure their work is transparent and inclusive, engaging traditional authorities, civil society organisations, security agencies, and local leaders.
The Interior Minister assured the committee that President John Dramani Mahama is committed to providing all necessary resources and logistics to support their efforts.
“The Government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama expects that you will conduct your duties with impartiality, transparency, and inclusiveness, so that peace and trust can be rebuilt,” he stated.
The Gbiniyiri conflict occurred over a parcel of land between two factions and has resulted in the deaths of about 31 persons, 50,000 displaced, with several others sustaining gunshot wounds and burning of houses as well as other properties during the clash.
FROM Eric Kombat