Salisu Be-Awuribe, Savannah Regional Minister, has engaged the authorities of the Bourkani Region of Côte d’Ivoire to deepen cross-border collaboration following the conflict at Gbinyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba of the region.
The Minister, accompanied by Mr Sorku Kassim Yahuza, Political Coordinator at the Office of the President assigned to the Savannah Region, and Mr Mahamoud Abdullai, District Chief Executive for Bole, visited Bouna in Côte d’Ivoire to convey Ghana’s gratitude to the Ivorian Government and people for the humane reception accorded Ghanaian refugees displaced by the conflict.
The Minister, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, pledged full support for measures to ensure that the displaced persons were accorded a dignified temporary stay as bilateral efforts were advanced to de-escalate tensions, demobilise armed groups, and reintegrate refugees under negotiated terms.
He underscored the need for humanitarian commitment, and also issued a stern warning to cross-border insurgents and armed groups, emphasising that Ghana’s security agencies would deal ruthlessly with any individual or group who attempted to cross into Ghana to perpetrate violence or reprisals.
He urged security agencies on both sides of the Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire border to tighten patrols, strengthen coordination, share timely intelligence and remain vigilant against retaliation, noting that porous borders had historically provided easy routes for armed groups to regroup, thereby escalating local conflicts into regional crises.
The Prefect of Bouna and President of Bourkani, speaking on behalf of the Ivorian Government, commended the Minister for his proactive and hands-on approach, describing it as the second time he had personally engaged authorities in the Bourkani Region to tighten border security.
He reaffirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to sustaining the historic bonds of friendship with Ghana and called on traditional and opinion leaders along the frontier to complement the efforts of security agencies by sensitising communities on the dangers of violence and retaliation and by reporting suspicious behaviours to the authorities.
He said, “Security cannot succeed without information. Vigilance from every villager, community elder, and youth was crucial to avert reprisals and renewed attacks.”
The Minister reassured Ghanaian refugees that the government had not abandoned them and that leaders were working to end the cycle of deprivation and violence.
He further charged security agencies to be proactive and engage constructively with local communities rather than being reactive to incidents.
The conflict, which broke out on August 23, has led to the loss of about 30 lives, while about 13,000 people have fled to Côte d’Ivoire as refugees, hence the Minister’s visit.