The Ministry of Interior has renewed the curfew hours for the townships of Alavanyo and Nkonya, as well as their surrounding areas in Ghana’s Volta and Oti Regions. This renewal, effective from Sunday, June 23, 2024, restricts movement within the designated areas from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
The longstanding boundary dispute between Nkonya and Alavanyo dates back to 1923. The conflict centers on a land area rich in timber, bamboo, and cola nuts and has been a source of violence for many years. In May 2022, the conflict intensified when a woman was shot and killed, and another individual was injured. Since 1983, the Volta Regional Peace Council has reported that 85 lives have been lost due to the ongoing violence.
Efforts to manage the conflict have included military and police interventions, court adjudications, peacebuilding initiatives with various stakeholders, and mediation attempts. Despite these efforts, the Ministry of Interior has found it necessary to renew the curfew.
The Ministry’s statement did not specify the reasons for the curfew renewal but reaffirmed the ban on carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons in the affected areas. It warned that “any person found with arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.”