The Ministry of Interior has extended the curfew hours for the townships of Alavanyo and Nkonya and their surrounding areas in Ghana’s Volta and Oti Regions.

Effective from Sunday, June 23, 2024, the curfew imposes restrictions on movement within the designated areas from 6:00pm to 6:00am daily.

Alavanyo and Nkonya have long been embroiled in a boundary dispute dating back to 1923, exacerbated by the region's rich resources including timber, bamboo, and cola nuts, which have fueled persistent violence over the years.

The conflict reached a critical point in May 2022 when a fatal shooting resulted in the death of a woman and injury of another individual. Since 1983, the Volta Regional Peace Council has recorded 85 fatalities, urging an end to retaliatory killings.

Efforts to manage the conflict have included interventions by military and police forces, court rulings, stakeholder peace-building initiatives, and mediation efforts.

While the Ministry of Interior did not specify reasons for renewing the curfew, it emphasised the prohibition on carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons within the affected areas to maintain peace and security.

"The Minister for the Interior has by Executive Instrument renewed the curfew hours imposed on Alavanyo and Nkonya Townships and their environs in the Oti Region from 6:00pm to 6:00am effective Sunday, June 23, 2024."

"Government continues to express its appreciation to the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth and people of the area for their efforts in ensuring peace in the area, and urges them to use the established mechanisms for the resolution of all their conflicts and disputes," the statement said.