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The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has expressed concern about the spate of killings in the Nkonya-Alavanyo area. According to the foundation, these are indicators that all is not well in the two traditional areas, considering their history of conflict. 

According to the Executive Director of FOSDA, Ms Afi Yakubu, it is particularly worrying that two killings have been reported between February and March 2015. Even though there is no established relation between the killings and the conflict, no arrests have been made to confirm the linkage or otherwise. “This is a recipe for disaster and we must not sit and wait for it to degenerate into violent clashes before intervening. We must act now to bring lasting peace and security to the people of Nkonya-Alavanyo.”

As a country, Ghana is no stranger to the high socio-economic impact of violent conflicts. A lot of funds that could have been used for development have been diverted into conflict management over the years.

Between 2002 and 2005, the Government of Ghana spent about ¢72 billion, equivalent to GH¢7.2 million, on the Dagbon conflict. In 2008, the Bawku MCE reported spending approximately GH¢30,000 per week on security in the area.

With regard to Nkonya and Alavanyo, the Vice-President of Ghana, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, is reported to have lamented that “the cost of the conflict is now getting rather too high for us.” The people of Nkonya and Alavanyo are currently living in fear for their lives. This has slowed down economic activities such as farming and general trading activities. Schools have been destroyed and some residents are reportedly fleeing the two areas for safety. Development of the area has generally come to a standstill.  

“While FOSDA recognises and appreciates the efforts of stakeholders such as the National Peace Council and other civil society organisations working towards a lasting peace in the two traditional areas, we are concerned that without active efforts to stop these killings, the peace deal will be an illusion.

“FOSDA is strongly appealing to the government, the National Peace Council and law enforcement agencies to attach urgency to the Nkonya-Alavanyo peace process. We also call on traditional and opinion leaders as well as citizens of Nkonya and Alavanyo to collaborate with security agencies to end the conflict and killings.”