Ethnic Rivalry and Tension as a Potential Catalyst for Civil Unrest In Ghana

With a large and diverse population, Ghana is home to many different ethnic groups. Ghanaian culture varies from one ethnic group to another. Individual conduct and behaviours that directly affect society are accorded cultural weight. In Ghana, traditional leaders and chiefs are responsible for decision-making regarding customs and other tribal matters.

Diversity within the country has, over time, caused numerous ethnic clashes, with some still ongoing. Precolonial ethnic rivalry, differences in how colonialism affected different parts of the nation and the unequal distribution of social and economic development in Ghana after independence have all contributed to current ethnic tensions.

Ethnic rivalry and tensions that could escalate into a national security crisis are brewing beneath Ghana’s seemingly peaceful political surface. This can be attributed to major ethnic groups’ intense competition for a monopoly of power in the country.

This article highlights the continuous ethnic disputes and security implications within the country, as well as the growing tensions that have emerged, raising widespread concerns about a possibly larger national security crisis.

Historical Context and Current Issues

Ashanti and Bono tensions

The history of the relations between the Bono states and Asante is the history of the Bono struggles for autonomy from Asante. Struggles between the Asante and the states in Bono date back to the seventeenth century, when the Asante state fought the Dormaa (Adum, 2017 ). This rivalry and tension, which has persisted for centuries, has now metamorphosed into a modern phenomenon where loyals of these ethnic groups have weaponised social media to confront one another with unprecedented hostility.

The rise of critical social media commentaries by followers of the Dormaahene and Asantehene indicates the intensification of their rivalry. Disparaging remarks being circulated online could incite ethnic conflict. Expressions with ethnic undertones can have serious repercussions. This issue demands attention, as similar situations have occurred across the continent. (The Africa report, 2025). It is unlikely in Ghana to see two respected traditional leaders publicly having a go at each other. The supposed rivalry between Asantehene and Dormaahene comes as a shock to historians and social commentators. What started as a personality clash between two of the country’s most prominent and powerful traditional rulers has erupted into a confrontation, with risks of further escalation.

In January 2022, the Asantehene, as a matter of serious rarity, spoke in anger during a meeting with the Asanteman Council. He accused the Chief of Drobo in the Bono Region of sabotaging the creation of a paramountcy in the region, which owes allegiance to the golden stool. Prior to this, the Dormahene had challenged Otumfuo’s authority to demand allegiance from chiefs of Bono, saying they owed no allegiance to the golden stool. In the past, there had been a clash between the two traditional areas over chieftaincy issues which has still not been resolved.

In December 2024, tensions between the Asante and Bono communities intensified following an incident in Techiman where unidentified youth hurled stones at the Asantehene’s convoy. This act was reportedly in response to an earlier confrontation in which the security guards accompanying the Asantehene fired gunshots and allegedly assaulted civilians in Techiman. The actions of the security personnel provoked widespread unrest, particularly among the local youth, and further deepened the existing divisions between the groups. This sequence of events highlights how quickly disputes can escalate and disrupt public order.

The Bawku Conflict

The Bawku conflict is a long-standing chieftaincy and ethnic dispute primarily between the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups in and around the Bawku Municipality of Ghana’s Upper East region. Rooted in the colonial indirect-rule framework and sharpened by post-independence policy reversals, the dispute Centers on claims to the paramount chieftaincy and associated land authority. Periodic escalations have led to deaths, injuries, displacement, curfews, and significant economic and social disruption. This conflict stems from ancient historical claims with the Mamprusi asserting their traditional authority over the Kusasi. British colonial rule also played a significant role in shaping these tensions, as some argue that colonial policies deepened divisions between the groups.

From late 2021, the area saw sustained hostilities and a rising death toll. In August 2023, the Municipal Chief Executive stated that close to 200 people had been killed since November 2021. In July 2025, violence surged again, which led to the killing of a Kusasi chief and three high-school students in separate attacks, prompting the deployment of additional soldiers and tighter curfew measures. (Reuters, 2025)

Recent tensions in the Gonja land

For many years, Northern Ghana has been in a state of turmoil and atrophy due to inter-ethnic conflicts over a broad layer of issues. In 1991 and 1992, Kpandai and its surrounding areas in present-day Kpandai District in Northern Ghana were enmeshed in inter-ethnic conflict between the Gonja and the Nawuri over allodial land rights. In August 2025, a conflict broke out after a dispute over ownership of a 10-square-metre piece of land in Gbenyiri, leaving five people dead. The conflict spread to other parts of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and the Bole District. The violent confrontation has plunged the town and its surrounding communities into widespread insecurity. In response to the escalating violence, the Minister for the Interior, based on advice from the National Security Council, imposed a curfew on Bole Township and nearby areas, which remains in force to date.

For many years Northern Ghana has been in a state of turmoil and atrophy due to inter-ethnic conflicts over a broad layer of issues. In 1991 and 1992, Kpandai and its surrounding areas in present-day Kpandai District in Northern Ghana were enmeshed in inter-ethnic conflict between the Gonja and the Nawuri over allodial land rights. In August 2025 a conflict broke out after a dispute over ownership of a 10-square-metre piece of land in Gbenyiri, leaving five people dead. The conflict spread to other parts of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and the Bole Districts. The violent confrontation has plunged the town and its surrounding communities into widespread insecurity. In response to the escalating violence, the Minister for the Interior, based on advice from the National Security Council, imposed a curfew on the affected areas.

4. The Sampa Conflict

Sampa is a town in Ghana’s Bono region, on the border with Cote d’Ivoire. Sampa is not immune from conflict. The Sampa conflict is a long-standing chieftaincy dispute between two royally descended factions, the Samnordua and the Sangba Gyafla.The conflict started in 2007 when the queen mother and their chief, Nana Kofi Sono Apim, passed away. The region has tried a number of strategies to settle this dispute, including court battles, but to no avail, as there has been no successor to the Sampa throne.

2025 saw some recent violent clashes.Following the National House of Chiefs’ recognition of Nana Sangba as the region’s legitimate chief, violence broke out once more on September 10, 2025. Conflicts erupted again, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Market centers were set on fire, and police were sent to the impacted areas until peace was restored.

On October 5, 2025, the conflict between the two opposing groups flared up once more, transforming the Sampa market into a battlefield where gunfire and property destruction were commonplace. After being prompted, these rival gangs ambushed police officers as they arrived.

Eight officers were shot and taken to the Sampa Government Hospital right away to receive treatment. Peace was preserved by the police’s instrumentality.

As of now, it is unclear whether Sampa will return to its peaceful state, as no proper resolution method has been found to address the root cause of the conflict. The community is still divided, with tensions beneath the surface. Local leaders are encouraging dialogue and cooperation in the hopes of paving the way for a long-term solution.

Security implications and repercussions

Undermines national security

Ghana’s northern porous borders and Bawku’s proximity to Togo and Burkina Faso make these disputes a critical national security concern, mainly due to the spread of extremist activities in the Sahel and their expansionist ambitions in the coastal region.

Economic disruption

Ethnic conflict disrupts economic activity, hinders regional progress, and slows national development and integration. Such conflicts can lead to population displacement, reduce investor confidence, and strain public resources, further impeding a country’s growth and stability.

Humanitarian crisis

Ethnic tension and rivalry collapse markets and interrupt vital cross-border trade. Mutual embargoes, such as preventing members of rival ethnic groups from accessing markets, have deepened poverty, disrupted livelihoods and contributed to food insecurity. (The Africa Report)

Displacement of people

Government sources reported that the conflicts have led to widespread displacement and casualties in over 48 communities with approximately 48,000 affected persons in the STK and Bole districts. An estimated 15,500 displaced persons, including over 13,000 individuals, have crossed into several communities in Côte d’Ivoire (reliefweb.int)

Arms proliferation

The Bawku conflict has played a significant role in enabling the proliferation of arms within the region. The frequent use of high-calibre ammunition during violent outbreaks has contributed to a notable surge in the illegal trade of weapons since the onset of the conflict. This increased availability and circulation of arms not only exacerbates the intensity of clashes but also undermines efforts to restore peace and security in the affected communities. Easy access to firearms creates a cycle where communities feel compelled to arm themselves further, heightening tensions and making conflict resolution more challenging. Despite relatively low-income levels, community members are reported to contribute to the purchase of weapons for the community to be used by the youths in preparation for possible attacks(accord.org)

Effective Ways to Mitigate Ongoing Conflicts

Education and sensitisation programs: creating awareness, through education and sensitisation programs, inculcating the culture of harmony, tolerance and the need to embrace peaceful coexistence.
Promoting cultural diversity: creating inclusive spaces for different cultures to breed. Respect for cultural diversity serves as grounds for effective social cohesion, tolerance, dialogue, cooperation and development of an economy.
Government interventions: security mobilisation to maintain order, establishing participatory electoral systems, encouraging community dialogue and peace education. Strengthening security borderlines to restrict the proliferation of arms.
Ensure the rule of law: ensuring fairness, equity, equality and transparency in conflict-related cases, perpetrators must be allowed to face the full rigours of the law to serve as a deterrent.

Conclusion

Currently, the atmosphere in Ghana is charged with ethnic tensions that, if not judiciously managed, could potentially escalate into civil unrest. Over the years, ongoing ethnic disputes have significantly undermined security initiatives in various regions of the country. The persistent nature of these conflicts has posed serious challenges to maintaining stability and order, often resulting in weakened efforts to protect affected communities.

Social media also plays a significant role in these conflicts. Conflicts often intensify as a result of interactions on social media platforms, where users may engage in heated exchanges that amplify existing tensions. These online interactions have the potential to spread provocative messages and misinformation among community members. As individuals respond to or share contentious content, misunderstandings and hostilities can quickly escalate, further deepening divisions within affected communities. The government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, should institute stringent measures to regulate activities on social media.

To effectively restore peace, the government must take deliberate steps to address the underlying causes of these conflicts. Addressing these root causes is critical in reducing the frequency and severity of violent outbursts, thereby paving the way for the restoration of peace and security in affected areas.

Remember “the forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the influence that keeps us apart”-Kwame Nkrumah.

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