Recurring tribal tensions, land disputes and chieftaincy-related conflicts are increasingly diverting scarce development resources in the Gushegu Municipality, threatening infrastructure expansion, economic growth and efforts to improve livelihoods.
Municipal authorities warn that huge sums of money that should have gone into roads, schools, health facilities, water systems and other critical projects are instead being spent on security operations, conflict resolution and emergency interventions as instability continues to undermine development in the area.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the municipality, Adam Abdul Hafiz, says the cost of maintaining peace and security in conflict-prone communities is becoming a major burden on the Assembly.
According to him, funds that could have been invested in roads, schools, health facilities, water systems and other critical social interventions are increasingly being diverted to security operations, mediation efforts and emergency responses.
Rising cost of conflict
Speaking on the growing impact of disputes within the municipality with Graphic Online, Mr. Hafiz expressed concern that recurring clashes among ethnic groups, clans and factions were undermining the Assembly’s development agenda.
“The cost of maintaining peace and security is huge,” he said.
He explained that the Assembly often has to spend scarce resources on resolving disputes, supporting security operations and responding to emergencies arising from conflicts and disturbances.
For a municipality that largely depends on agriculture and small-scale trading activities, instability presents serious economic risks.
In many farming communities, disputes over land ownership and traditional authority frequently disrupt farming activities, discourage investment and affect productivity.
Development experts have long argued that conflict-prone communities often struggle to attract investment because businesses and investors typically prefer stable environments where economic activities can flourish without uncertainty.
For residents whose livelihoods depend heavily on farming, trading and transportation, even minor disturbances can have lasting economic consequences.
Development under pressure
Mr. Hafiz warned that unresolved disputes could derail ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, agriculture, livelihoods and local economic development in the municipality.
“We are working hard to improve development, livelihoods, trade, agriculture and the general well-being of the people, but continued tribal conflicts, chieftaincy disputes and land litigations will affect these gains,” he stressed.
According to him, the Assembly’s development priorities include expanding road networks, improving water and sanitation systems, constructing schools and health facilities, developing market infrastructure and supporting farmers to increase food production.
However, he noted that such projects require financial stability and a peaceful environment to succeed.
The MCE further explained that the municipality has in recent years experienced both conflicts and natural disasters that destroyed properties and affected livelihoods, leaving the Assembly struggling to rebuild affected communities and provide relief support.
He said the Assembly operates within a fixed budget and often does not anticipate emergencies of such magnitude, particularly situations that result in the imposition of curfews and increased security deployments.
Low revenue challenges
Beyond the pressure created by conflicts, the Assembly is also dealing with low Internally Generated Funds (IGF), a challenge common to many local assemblies.
Although efforts are underway to improve revenue mobilisation, Mr. Hafiz warned that persistent disputes would continue to drain the municipality’s already limited resources.
He observed that unlike previous years, when assemblies struggled to secure adequate funding for development, the current administration has increased financial support from the central government.
According to him, such resources should be directed into meaningful development projects rather than conflict management and security operations.
Call for peace and cooperation
The MCE has therefore appealed to residents to embrace peaceful coexistence and dialogue in resolving disagreements.
He urged ethnic groups, clans and community leaders to prioritise unity and avoid actions capable of destabilising the municipality.
“Sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability,” he stated.
He also called on residents to cooperate with the Assembly to enable it to effectively deliver on its mandate.
“I encourage everyone in the municipality to own the Assembly and actively participate in its activities instead of resorting to violence, conflicts and land disputes,” he said.
Mr. Hafiz further appealed to NGOs, government agencies and private individuals to support the Assembly in implementing development projects that would improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities for residents.
Need for investment
Despite the challenges, the MCE believes the municipality still possesses enormous economic potential, particularly in agriculture.
He encouraged investors to take advantage of the area’s agricultural opportunities, assuring them that the Assembly remains committed to creating a conducive environment for business and investment.
“Investment can only take place in a peaceful society,” he emphasised.
Across many parts of northern Ghana, communal and land-related disputes continue to raise concerns among development practitioners and security analysts, who warn that persistent instability threatens social cohesion and economic progress.
For communities such as Gushegu, the challenge remains clear: without peace and stability, the path to sustainable development may remain difficult.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh