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Country analysis

Ghana

A progressive deterioration of the security situation in the northern regions of West African coastal countries is observed. Between October 2022 and January 2023, more than 73 violent incidents involving mostly non-state armed groups have been reported in the northern regions of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.

These incidents included attacks on civilians and security forces, kidnappings, the destruction of property, and the use of improvised explosive devices. Benin is the country recording the highest number of attacks by armed groups, followed by Togo. In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the attacks are on a smaller scale given a still-low presence of armed groups, but these are becoming more regular.

The violence has started to trigger internal displacement in Benin and Togo. In Benin, at least 1,200 IDPs have been reported in the department of Atakora, while in Togo, more than 2,200 IDPs are registered in the region of Savanes.

Armed group activity in the northern regions of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo has not seemed to affect food insecurity levels, as the number of food-insecure people remained stable between October–December 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

(Africanews 28/12/2022, ACLED accessed 13/03/2023, VOA 09/02/2023, Togoweb 14/02/2023, GRANIT 30/11/2022)

A progressive deterioration of the security situation in the northern regions of West African coastal countries is observed. Between October 2022 and January 2023, more than 73 violent incidents involving mostly non-state armed groups have been reported in the northern regions of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.

These incidents included attacks on civilians and security forces, kidnappings, the destruction of property, and the use of improvised explosive devices. Benin is the country recording the highest number of attacks by armed groups, followed by Togo. In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the attacks are on a smaller scale given a still-low presence of armed groups, but these are becoming more regular.

The violence has started to trigger internal displacement in Benin and Togo. In Benin, at least 1,200 IDPs have been reported in the department of Atakora, while in Togo, more than 2,200 IDPs are registered in the region of Savanes.

Armed group activity in the northern regions of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo has not seemed to affect food insecurity levels, as the number of food-insecure people remained stable between October–December 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

(Africanews 28/12/2022, ACLED accessed 13/03/2023, VOA 09/02/2023, Togoweb 14/02/2023, GRANIT 30/11/2022)

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Latest updates on country situation

08 September 2025

A land dispute between Brefor and Gonja communities in Ghana’s Savannah region escalated into violent clashes in late August 2025, killing at least 34 people and displacing nearly 50,000. The violence began in Gbenyiri village and spread to nearby areas, prompting a curfew and the deployment of over 700 security personnel. By 5 September, around 10,000 people had crossed into Côte d’Ivoire’s Bounkani region, where civic authorities report food shortages, overcrowding, and inadequate medical supplies. Most arrivals are women, children, and older people. Within Ghana, over 40,000 remain displaced across Savannah region, many in neighbouring villages with limited shelter or services. Some families have also attempted to cross into Burkina Faso. Given the region’s history of land-related conflict, protracted displacement and renewed violence remain possible. Although the situation has calmed, cross-border ethnic ties and the absence of a resolution raise the risk of reprisals and further unrest. (RFI 03/09/2025, ECHO 05/09/2025, Sada News 05/09/2025)

current crises
in Ghana

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

GHA001 - Conflict spillover and climate shocks in northern Ghana

Last updated 28/08/2025

Drivers

Conflict/ Violence
Drought/drier conditions

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.4 Medium

Access constraints

1.0

Analysis products
on Ghana

Ghana: Floods

29 October 2019

Ghana: Floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 447 KB

Heavy rains in October have caused flooding in several parts of Ghana. The Upper East region at the border to Burkina Faso is particularly affected. Information on the impact given by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and government officials to local media is conflicting. The death toll ranges currently between 28 and 19 people. Initial assessments indicate that at least 26,000 people have been displaced.

Natural hazards
Migration in West and North Africa

30 November 2018

Migration in West and North Africa

DOCUMENT / PDF / 855 KB

These scenarios consider how migration dynamics within and via West and North Africa (including across the Mediterranean Sea) might evolve in the first half of 2019 and the potential humanitarian consequences. The aim is to support strategic planning, create awareness and promote preparedness activities for policymakers and other actors working on migration.

Mixed migration
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