Six months after the Gbeniyiri conflict that claimed the lives of about 38 people and left many others injured across Gbeniyiri, Kalba and parts of Bole in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole districts of the Savannah Region, traditional priests have performed purification rites to cleanse the land and bring closure to the violence.

The rites, led by the Chief Priest of Tuna, Mwiri Kipo Huenhen, together with eight other traditional priests, were aimed at appeasing Mother Earth and the souls of those who died during the conflict.

Speaking in an interview at Dagbebu, a suburb of Sawla, the chief priest explained that the rituals marked the end of bloodshed in the area and warned that anyone who attempts to reignite violence would face severe spiritual consequences.

“This matter [Gbeniyiri conflict] has come to an end today. Families and stakeholders have agreed and are here to witness the purification. So, the conflict is over now. We pray to God and our ancestors that it never happen again, nor should a fight occur here.

“And if someone here or anywhere is still thinking otherwise about the conflict, and picks a gun or any weapon, he or she will have the Gods and Ancestors to contend with,” he stated.

According to him, the rituals signify the closure of the conflict and serve as a clear signal for all parties to live together in peace and harmony.

The conflict dates back to August 2025, when a disagreement over a ten-square-metre parcel of land at Gbeniyiri escalated into violence. Although the matter was brought before the Gbeniyiri chief’s palace, one of the parties rejected the ruling, triggering widespread clashes.

The purification rites began at the Janivuro community near Gbeniyiri, where the first five of the 38 victims were killed, before continuing at Dagbebu.

Recounting the events, the chief priest said it was necessary to cleanse the land in recognition of the pain caused by the conflict and to create room for peace and development.

As part of the rituals, sacrificial items including cows, sheep, fowls and drinks were offered to Mother Earth. Similar rites were also performed at Dagbebu.

Chairman of the Savannah Regional Peace Council and a member of the Gbeniyiri mediation committee, Reverend Father Lazarus Annyereh, commended the traditional authorities for the initiative.

“What I’ve seen here is a clear desire for sustainable peace in the area. And the chief priest’s statement exhorting everybody to lay down weapons and promote sustainable peace in the area has resolved part of our assignment,” Rev. Fr. Annyereh stated.

He added, “I’d like to say that it is a very strong contribution as far as the mediation and the dialogue mediation committee among the Lobi-Brifor-Gonjas are concerned.”

Rev. Fr. Annyereh further explained that, as a Catholic priest, his presence was also significant.

“Just to witness also tells people that the church is interested in African religion, especially religion that promotes peace, not religion that brings division. And what I’ve seen here is the promotion of peace, and it convinces me that we can work together in solidarity,” he said.

In a related development, a new palace has been constructed to replace the Gbeniyiri chief’s palace that was destroyed during the conflict.

Stakeholders, including the Lobi-Brifor Council of Elders as well as the Dagaaba chief and his elders, were present to witness the purification rites.