Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has urged political leaders to desist from exploiting tribal conflicts for partisan advantage, cautioning that such actions could deepen divisions and fuel insecurity across the country.
In a post on X, the Assin South MP expressed concern over the renewed violence in Gbinyiri in the Savannah Region, where the death toll has reportedly risen to 31, with more than 48,000 people displaced.
“Gbinyiri conflict in Savannah Region: Death toll rises to 31 with 48,000 displaced. You see why it’s dangerous to politicise tribal conflicts? Now your own backyard is sadly in crisis. Let’s say NO to politicising tribal conflicts. Let’s all pray for calm in Gbinyiri and Bawku,” he wrote.
His caution comes at a time when Ghana continues to battle sporadic outbreaks of violence in northern communities. In Bawku, for instance, long-standing ethnic tensions between the Kusasi and Mamprusi groups have flared repeatedly, leading to loss of lives and large-scale displacement.
The Gbinyiri crisis, he noted, adds to growing humanitarian concerns in the north, putting additional pressure on security forces and relief agencies.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour stressed that the national priority should be peacebuilding and reconciliation rather than political point-scoring. He called on leaders, traditional authorities, and citizens to work together to calm tensions and support displaced families.
“The lives at stake and the suffering of thousands should remind us that peace is the only path forward,” he emphasised.
