The Private Universities Students’ Association of Ghana (PUSAG) has issued a dire warning, labelling the ongoing conflict in Gbinyiri and its surrounding communities in the Savannah Region a “humanitarian and security time bomb”.

In a press release dated September 4, 2025, PUSAG President Ibrahim Issah expressed deepest sympathy to the families affected and urged the government to take decisive and urgent action.

According to official reports cited by PUSAG, the death toll from the conflict has risen to 31, with more than 48,000 people displaced from their homes.

The release highlights the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding, noting that many of the displaced are women and children now stranded in makeshift camps in Sawla and neighbouring districts.

The situation has become so desperate that at least 13,000 Ghanaians have already fled across the border into Côte d’Ivoire as refugees, while some have tragically drowned while attempting to cross the Black Volta River.

PUSAG's President warned that the conflict's repercussions extend far beyond a local crisis, posing serious national and regional security threats.

The association pointed out that the mass displacement of nearly 50,000 citizens is an unprecedented event in Ghana's recent history, which risks straining the already fragile border communities between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Furthermore, with the conflict disrupting farming activities at the start of the season, PUSAG fears the crisis will escalate into widespread food insecurity and economic distress, fuelling further instability.

The statement also cautioned that if left unresolved, Gbinyiri could become a flashpoint for cross-border conflict and criminal exploitation, thereby threatening Ghana’s long-standing reputation as a peaceful nation in West Africa.

In response to the escalating crisis, PUSAG has called on the Government of Ghana to act decisively on five key points:

1. Scale up immediate humanitarian relief: The association urged the mobilization of state agencies like NADMO, as well as the Red Cross and other civil society organizations, to deliver essential aid, including food, water, medical supplies, and shelter, without delay.
2. Guarantee safety and dignity: PUSAG called for the establishment of properly resourced resettlement camps, with a special focus on the welfare of women, children, and the elderly.
3. Bolster security presence and mediation: The association recommended an increased security deployment in the affected areas and the empowerment of traditional authorities like the Yagbonwura to lead peace efforts.
4. Facilitate safe return and recovery: The statement emphasized the need to enable farmers to return to their lands before the farming season is completely lost, which would help avert further displacement and hunger.
5. Commit to long-term peacebuilding: PUSAG called on the government to clarify land rights, invest in youth engagement, and strengthen community resilience to prevent future conflicts.

The PUSAG President concluded by affirming the association’s solidarity with the displaced citizens, urging all stakeholders—including the government, civil society, media, and international partners—to unite in restoring peace, dignity, and hope to Gbiniyiri. The release stressed that the crisis must not be allowed to become a "forgotten tragedy".