A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communication team, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has cautioned that the mass displacement of over 13,000 Ghanaians into Côte d’Ivoire following violent land clashes in Gbiniyiri could present a security threat to the nation.
According to Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, terrorist groups operating in these countries could take advantage of the situation by infiltrating Ghana while blending in with displaced citizens.
The recent clashes in the Gbinyiri community of the Savannah Region have resulted in at least 31 deaths, displaced nearly 50,000 people, and caused thousands of Ghanaians to flee to neighbouring countries.
The conflict, which began in August 2025, is primarily a land dispute that escalated into deadly community violence.
Speaking on ChannelOne TV, Dr. Boakye Danquah said the situation is a cause for concern and urged authorities to pay close attention to it.
“Ghana is a very blessed country. The countries where our citizens are seeking refuge Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, it’s troubling,” he said.
He added, “Burkina Faso is under a military junta, Cote D’Ivoire itself is under threats of terrorism and a sizeable part of it is almost taken over by terrorists. So, it’s a very dire situation.”
Dr. Palgrave cautioned that people linked to terrorism could blend in with displaced citizens and enter Ghana, creating a serious security risk.
He explained, “If people say they are hurt and they come into the country, you’re not too sure whether they are terrorists, you don’t know the threats that they bring to our own country.”
He further warned of the possibility of disease oubreaks, citing lingering threats such as COVID-19, elephantiasis, and cholera, and called on the Ministry of Health to assist in that regard.
“I would ask that the Ministry of Health looks into their issues very well, try to send medical teams there to make sure there are no outbreaks,” he urged.
He also expressed concerns about Ghana’s preparedness to support the displaced citizens, questioning the capacity of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Dr. Boakye-Danquah called on the Government and President John Mahama to treat the matter with urgency.
“This is a very serious issue that I would want the sitting Government and the President to pay a closer attention to it,” he stressed.
