Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that 5,309 Ghanaians are still in Côte d’Ivoire following the Gbinyiri conflict, a significant reduction from the initial figure of 13,253.

“During my visit, I found that approximately 8,000 Ghanaians have safely returned home. The latest census indicates that 5,309 remain in Côte d’Ivoire, down from 13,253,” Ablakwa disclosed at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, September 15.

The conflict, sparked by a land dispute in the Gbinyiri area in the Savannah region, forced thousands to flee across the border, with many living in temporary settlements in northern Côte d’Ivoire.

During his official visit, the Minister delivered a message of peace and reconciliation from President John Mahama, urging displaced citizens to return.

“I conveyed a special message from President Mahama, one of peace, forgiveness, and a call for our compatriots to come home, now that security has been strengthened and normalcy restored,” Ablakwa said.

To support the voluntary return, he added that the government had donated CFA 6 million to assist with logistics and urgent humanitarian needs.

“The CFA 6 million donation, made on behalf of President Mahama, is to cover immediate necessities and facilitate the safe return of our citizens. This is separate from relief items such as food, water, blankets, and medicines already distributed through NADMO,” he explained.