In a bold move to restore peace and security, the European Union has stepped in to establish a police station and resettle displaced residents in a remote Ghanaian village, but here's where it gets controversial—is this enough to prevent future violence? The story begins with a chilling scene: just before dawn in March 2024, Abdul Rahman Salam was jolted awake by the sound of gunfire near his home in Gbingbani, a quiet farming village nestled along Ghana’s northeastern border with Togo. As he prepared his pre-dawn meal for the day’s fast, the tranquility of the morning was shattered by the eruption of violence. This wasn’t just a random outbreak—it was the culmination of weeks of escalating tensions over a chieftaincy dispute between two Konkomba factions in the community.
Following his brother’s urgent instructions, Salam rushed to secure his family’s gate before retreating to his room. But the chaos was far from over. The sound of gunfire intensified, accompanied by the terrified screams of women and children. Salam and his family found themselves trapped in the crossfire until armed security forces arrived from Nalerigu, the regional capital, located a daunting 71 kilometers away. With their intervention, the family managed to escape on foot across the border into Togo.
And this is the part most people miss: as Salam fled, he witnessed the devastating aftermath of the violence. The local market, once a bustling hub of activity, was engulfed in flames. A tipper truck and two tractors lay smoldering in front of his house. Across the road, a small mud structure serving as a drug store had been partially burned and looted. Its owner, Pastor John Daniel Naalub, later spoke to JoyNews, revealing the extent of the destruction. Moved by the devastation, he decided to donate his land for the construction of a police station, hoping to prevent future outbreaks of violence.
Despite a brief restoration of calm, the peace was short-lived. Violence erupted again in June, raising questions about the root causes of the conflict. According to Nguma Nlema John, the Assembly Representative for the area, the clashes stemmed from the Gbingbani Chief’s opposition to the planned installation of a Youth Chief by the Chief of Gbankurugu. Both communities are autonomous, with their chiefs appointed directly by the Mamprugu Overlord, the Nayiri. Traditionally, Youth Chiefs are installed by the main chiefs of their respective villages, and the Gbingbani Chief viewed the Gbankurugu Naba’s attempt to perform the ceremony in their community as an overstep.
The consequences were devastating. The clashes in March and June left two people dead, including a mercenary from a nearby district, and displaced nearly the entire population of Gbingbani. Schools, the local market, and vital roads were shut down, paralyzing daily life. But here’s the silver lining: after months of peace-building efforts led by regional authorities and NGOs, including the Catholic Diocese of Bolgatanga, the rival factions agreed to a truce in October 2024. This was sealed through a traditional ‘blood burial’ ceremony, an ancient custom of the Moba and Komba ethnic groups symbolizing the end of conflict and the restoration of harmony.
To address the issue of delayed security responses, the European Union, through the Tamale-based organization Coginta, funded and inaugurated a new police station under the EU’s Peace Protect Project. This initiative aims to promote community policing and build resilience against insecurity and violent extremism in northern Ghana. Through Coginta, the project has trained 184 police officers, provided 75 motorbikes to police units, and constructed seven police stations in border communities across the five northern regions. The total investment in community policing stands at approximately £975,990 (over 14 million Ghana cedis).
At the handover ceremony, Coginta Country Director Rev. Fr. Clement Ampimno praised the EU’s support and urged residents to cooperate with the police. ‘Let’s see the police as our friends, our brothers and sisters,’ he said. COP Suraj, Director General of the National Police Patrol Directorate, echoed this call, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between officers and the community. However, here’s where it gets controversial: despite these efforts, the Yunyoo District, created in 2018, still lacks a dedicated police commander and relies on the Bunkpurugu–Nakpanduri District for emergency security needs. District Chief Executive James Alhassan Bonathan appealed to the EU and Coginta to consider constructing police bungalows and urged police leadership to appoint a commander to the district.
As the community moves forward, one question lingers: Will these measures be enough to prevent future violence, or are deeper systemic issues at play? We’d love to hear your thoughts—do you think the EU’s intervention and the new police station will bring lasting peace, or is more needed? Share your opinions in the comments below!
