At least five people, including the chief of Kalba, have been killed and six others seriously wounded in a violent clash over a disputed piece of land in Ghana’s Savannah Region. The gun battle, which broke out late Sunday, forced the chief of Gbenyiri to flee his palace and seek refuge at the Kalba chief’s residence. According to police, tensions spiked when the Gbenyiri chief was later escorted back to his community by the Kalba chief’s son. Their convoy was ambushed along the way, triggering a deadly exchange of gunfire.
The wounded victims were rushed to the Tuna District Hospital for treatment. Security has since been tightened in Kalba and Gbenyiri with reinforcements deployed under the command of the Savannah Regional Police Commander. No arrests have been made yet, but investigations are ongoing. Authorities fear the killings could inflame already fragile relations between rival communities in the area. Land disputes remain a major source of conflict across Ghana, particularly in the north, where traditional authorities often clash over boundaries, inheritance, and control of farmlands. Experts warn that unless stronger mechanisms for conflict resolution are put in place, such disputes could continue to spark violence.
