A deepening humanitarian crisis has engulfed the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole districts in Ghana’s Savannah Region, where makeshift camps are struggling to accommodate thousands of victims of the Gbenyiri conflict. Many displaced residents are surviving on just one meal a day.
According to the latest figures, thousands of people, including women and children, are seeking refuge in camps across the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole Bamboi municipal areas. Some 14,000 residents have fled to Vonkore in Ivory Coast, while 17 lives have been lost since the conflict began.
Speaking to JoyNews reporter Isaac Nogna, some residents described the harsh realities of camp life. One resident said their daily struggle begins with limited clothing:
“Since the conflict began, we have been wearing just one set of clothes. We wash, rinse, and wear it again. We want to return home to collect some of our belongings, but we can’t. The women fled, leaving everything behind, including the groundnuts. We need help. I left my farms and livestock behind, and now I don’t know what to do. All our properties are still there.”
Another resident spoke of the difficulty in accessing food: “We are far from Denucation, where food is being distributed. By the time we get there, it is all finished. Yesterday, we managed only one meal—and that was after 4 p.m. We had nothing in the morning or afternoon.”
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, who visited the area on Sunday, acknowledged the plight of displaced residents and outlined government action. He said the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has been tasked with compiling accurate daily data on displaced persons to guide relief efforts.
“We’ve tasked NADMO to get us the accurate numbers every day because, as you know, some have been displaced internally, others across our borders, and others are even in other regions. So we are trying to get the exact number, and then we’ll see exactly what can be done. But I can assure you that in the meantime, a lot has been done.”
On ongoing relief, he said food and shelter are being distributed and expressed optimism that residents could soon return home.
“Food items are coming; we are getting tents and all that. And then we are hopeful that, if by the grace of God, as His Royal Highness has assured us, very soon we will be able to return to their homes. So you can be assured that yes, we are concerned; we are worried about our own citizens and displacement. Yes, we are taking concrete steps, and a lot has been done to ensure they are not left to fend for themselves.”
He also highlighted strict security measures in place to maintain order:
“There’s a curfew in place—no carrying of arms, no wearing war regalia, no carrying offensive weapons. His Royal Highness has given assurance that the communities will cooperate with security agencies to bring an end to these issues.”
Meanwhile, the Savannah Regional Director of NADMO, Zakaria Mahama, said registering displaced persons remains a challenge, especially for those avoiding the camps.
“The difficulty is those who do not come to the camp or those who have not agreed to come—it’s difficult to get them registered. Three days ago, NADMO went there to give them relief food, and it was even difficult getting them outside. So if people are refusing to come out, how are you going to register them? That is making it a bit difficult for us.”
He added that frequent movement of displaced residents further complicates accurate record-keeping:
“Even those at the camps move frequently. They leave for two or three days and travel to other regions. Sometimes they go to Upper West, then to the southern sector. We are unable to know the exact numbers or where they are going. That is a challenge we face now.”