The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has expressed significant concern about the resurgence of chieftaincy and ethnic conflicts throughout the nation, cautioning that the ongoing instability poses a substantial threat to national unity and progress.
During his address at the 2025 Plenary Assembly of the Conference in Damongo on Monday, November 10, 2025, Most Rev. Gyamfi expressed his dismay that prolonged conflicts, particularly in northern Ghana, continue to erode peace and disrupt the livelihoods of many.
“Ongoing chieftaincy and ethnic disputes persist in disturbing the tranquility of numerous regions. The Bawku crisis stands out as one of the most enduring and devastating, having claimed between 200 and 300 lives since the resurgence of hostilities in late 2021,” he remarked.
He pointed out that vital social services in areas affected by conflict have been severely impacted by the recurring violence.
“Educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and markets have frequently shut down, crippling social and economic activities. In addition to Bawku, areas such as Yendi, Bimbilla, Nkonya–Alavanyo, and Doba–Kandiga have also faced repeated violence,” he continued.
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference further emphasized the humanitarian impact of these conflicts, which include internal displacements and an influx of refugees from neighboring countries.
“The humanitarian implications are dire—internal displacements, fractured families, and an influx of refugees from across borders. Since 2022, over 15,000 asylum seekers from Burkina Faso have sought refuge in northern Ghana, escaping terrorist threats in the Sahel. Our local communities, despite their own poverty, have demonstrated remarkable generosity with minimal external assistance,” he noted.
Most Rev. Gyamfi stressed that achieving sustainable peace necessitates both justice and compassion, calling on the government, traditional leaders, and religious figures to collaborate in addressing the underlying causes of these conflicts.
“These circumstances remind us that peace cannot thrive without justice, and security cannot be sustained without compassion,” he emphasized.
