Communal clashes in northern Ghana that started late last month have killed at least 31 people and displaced nearly 50,000, officials said Thursday, with more than 13,000 fleeing across the border into the Ivory Coast.

The violence in Ghana’s Savannah Region broke out on August 24 in the village of Gbiniyiri, near the Ivorian border, the result of an escalating land dispute that has engulfed a dozen communities.

The conflict began when the local chief sold a parcel of land to a private developer, without broader community consent. When the developer attempted to access the land to begin work, residents resisted violently.

Frustration reached a peak when the chief’s palace was set on fire.

Communal conflicts over land and chieftaincy disputes are recurrent in Ghana’s north, though displacement on this scale is rare.

Interior Minister Mubarak Muntaka said in a radio interview Thursday that 13,253 Ghanaians had crossed into the Ivory Coast, citing figures from Ivorian authorities.

Philippe Hien, president of the Bounkani regional council, told AFP that “there are 13,000 people who have arrived in 17 villages” in the area, which is already home to 30,000 refugees from conflict-hit Burkina Faso.

Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) said around 48,000 people had been forced from their homes, mostly women and children.

“For the past five days we haven’t had any gunshots, killings or attacks,” Savannah Regional NADMO Director Zakaria Mahama told AFP, adding that many displaced are beginning to return home.

Both Mahama and Muntaka confirmed the toll of 31 dead.

Some families are sheltering several dozen relatives in cramped rooms, while those in makeshift displacement camps often only have one meal a day, Mahama said.

On the security front, Muntaka said more than 700 military and police officers had been deployed and a curfew instituted.

Savannah Regional Minister Salisu Bi-Awuribe said calm was gradually returning as chiefs and elders worked with security agencies to prevent further clashes.

Authorities fear food shortages after families abandoned farms and livestock during the exodus.

An investigative committee is being set up with traditional rulers and the National Peace Council to probe the causes and promote reconciliation.

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The Lagos State Government has raised the alarm over the impact of illegal dredging and coastal erosion on its lagoon and waterfront communities, warning that over 10,000 cubic metres of sand are being dredged daily in the state.

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Alebiosu, made this known on Thursday during a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.

He said the disturbing trend underscored the need for urgent intervention to prevent environmental collapse.

On the scale of illegal activities, Alebiosu said, “About 10,625 cubic metres of sand are dredged daily in Lagos,” cautioning that such unregulated operations could destabilise the ecosystem, damage aquatic habitats, and endanger waterfront settlements.

He added that the Ministry was conducting a comprehensive bathymetric and hydrographic survey to identify over-dredged and under-dredged areas, noting that the Ibeshe area of Lagos was already heavily impacted.

The concerns come against the backdrop of earlier moves by the state government to clamp down on unlicensed dredgers.

The government in August sought the support of the Dredgers Association of Nigeria, insisting that unregistered operators halt their activities to protect the environment and communities.

The Commissioner also highlighted the severe threat of coastal erosion, stating that some Lagos coastal communities, including Idotun Village in Ibeju-Lekki, had been completely washed away. Families, he said, had lost their homes and sources of livelihood.

“Coastal erosion is a regional problem with global implications. Lagos must take urgent steps to safeguard its communities, infrastructure, and economy,” Alebiosu stated. He cited Keta Municipality in Ghana as another West African community facing similar devastation.

To address the crisis, he announced that Lagos had commenced collaboration with the Netherlands, globally recognised for its expertise in coastal and water management, to develop lasting and innovative solutions.

He explained that the pressing realities form the basis for the Maiden Lagos State Waterfront Summit, scheduled for September 11, 2025, in Lagos.

With the theme “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience,” the summit aims to convene experts and professionals to chart practical solutions.

“The lagoon is not just a body of water; it is our heritage, our economy, and our future. This summit is a call to action for Lagosians, experts, and stakeholders to work together in protecting it before it is too late,” Alebiosu said.

The Lagos State Government has in recent years intensified efforts to curb illegal dredging, a practice linked to coastal erosion, flooding, and the destruction of aquatic habitats.

It was earlier reported that Lagos State launched initiatives to monitor and regulate dredging activities, urging operators to obtain licences and adhere strictly to environmental regulations.

Unlicensed dredgers, according to the government, contribute significantly to the degradation of waterfront areas, threatening both livelihoods and infrastructure.

These efforts form part of Lagos’ broader strategy to preserve its coastline, protect communities, and ensure sustainable urban development.

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Since assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has made France a frequent destination, sparking curiosity and debate among Nigerians.

With at least eight visits to the European nation since March 2023, including seven as president, the question on many lips is: What is in France?

The Presidency on Thursday announced a 10-day working vacation starting today, September 4, 2025.

Tinubu’s trips to Paris, which range from diplomatic meetings to rumoured medical vacations, raise unanswered questions.

As for why Tinubu frequently visits France, several factors emerge from available information:

Diplomatic and Economic Ties

Tinubu’s visits often focus on strengthening Nigeria-France relations. Nigeria is France’s top trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with bilateral trade worth over $5 billion in 2023.

His state visit in November 2024, the first by a Nigerian leader in 24 years, aimed to boost investment in sectors like agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

Strategic Meetings

Tinubu has utilised France as a base for important meetings. For example, his travel in April 2025 was called a “working visit” to review how his administration was doing in the middle of its term and prepare changes. He also reportedly used Paris as a meeting place for business and financial executives. Tinubu also met French President Emmanuel Macron during several visits, including in February 2025, before an African Union summit.

Medical Speculation

There is a lot of speculation, notably from critics, that Tinubu’s many trips may be for medical reasons. Several “private visits” (such in January 2024, August 2024, and February 2025) are thought to contain medical components, although they were officially described as diplomatic or personal.

The Presidency recently denied rumours that Tinubu is ill and is getting ready to be sent abroad for medical care. The Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, AbdulAziz AbdulAziz, told BBC Hausa that the Nigerian Institute for Investigative Journalism’s claims that the President was bedridden were false.

France’s African Strategy

France’s power in its old colonies (such Mali and Niger) because of competition from China and Russia is declining. Tinubu’s travels fit with France’s desire for economic ties, as French businesses like Danone and TotalEnergies are already doing business in Nigeria.

Personal Affinity

Tinubu apparently has a long-standing affection for France, visiting even before his presidency. By April 2025, he had spent at least 59 days in France during eight trips since assuming office in May 2023, more than any other country.

Tinubu’s trips show that Nigeria wants to be a player in the world arena, but the lack of openness behind some of them raises questions.  As the president keeps flying to Paris, the question is still: What is in France?

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