The Research Directorate was unable to find any reference to, or ascertain the precise location of, the village of Hansua. Kintampo is located in Western Ghana in the Brong Ahafo Region (Tourist Map of Ghana 1973). Specific information regarding August 1997 attacks on Konkombas could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

There are, however, general reports of ethnic tensions between the Konkombas and other peoples in 1997 as well as reports of the government's reaction to the situation. According to a Ghana Focus report dated 21 October 1997, a volatile situation existed between the Konkombas and Nchumurus, centering on the issue of land rights. A 28 October 1997 report by AFP refers to an arms ban ordered by the Ghanaian government in the Eastern Volta Region "because of festering ethnic tensions pitting Konkombas against Nawuris and Nchumurus over land tolls." On the same date, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporations Radio Network broadcast an item describing the extension of the arms ban and the activities of the Permanent Peace Negotiating Team (PPNT), mandated to bring about reconciliation among the people in the northern part of the country. According to the broadcast:

The National Emergency Committee has reviewed the security situation in the former conflict areas of the northern region. An official statement in Accra today expressed the committee's satisfaction at the progress made by the Permanent Peace Negotiating Team, PPNT, with the active support and collaboration of the chiefs, people, and opinion leaders in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and bring about reconciliation among the people in the area.

The statement, however, said the committee took note of recent reports of the activities of some elements which could undermine the progress being made to ensure peace and stability in the area. In this regard, the terms of reference of the PPNT had been broadened to include some areas in the northern part of the Volta region. It said the security agencies have also been directed to take appropriate preventive measures to ensure the maintenance of law and order, and will deal firmly with anyone who attempts to provoke any disturbances.

Further detail regarding the PPNT and the Government's reaction to ethnic tensions in 1997 involving Konkombas is found in Country Reports 1997:

The Government created a permanent negotiating team in 1995 comprised of religious leaders, NGO's, Council of State members, and other interested parties to help resolve the continuing tensions between the Konkomba and other ethnic groups in the north. Ethnic tension and violence in the Northern Region resulted in the deaths of an estimated several thousand citizens in the Northern Region in 1994-95. The Permanent Peace Negotiating Team (PPNT) is a facilitative body whose primary purpose is to mediate disputes, most of which relate to chieftancy and land issues dating from colonial times. In 1996 a series of highly publicized "peacemaking" ceremonies were held at which tribal leaders pledged to solve their differences through negotiations. In response to reports of latent insecurity, the PPNT extended its activities to some northern parts of the Volta Region in October and in December supervised a peace accord among all parties to the conflict residing there. The primary issue is land. There were numerous violent confrontations between and within ethnic groups related to chieftaincy issues, particularly those of succession. Beyond regular pleas by government officials for peace, there has been little effective intervention.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 28 October 1997. "Arms Ban Extended to Eastern Ghana Amid Ethnic Tensions." (NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997. 1998. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio Network [Accra, in English]. 28 October 1997. "Ghana: Committee Reviews Security Situation in Northern Ghana." (FBIS-AFR-97-301 28 Oct. 1997/WNC)

Ghana Focus. [Accra]. 21 October 1997. "Ghana; Threat of Another Ethnic Conflict Looms Over Ghana." (Africa News Service 21 Oct. 1997/NEXIS)

Tourist Map of Ghana. 1973. Accra: Ghana Tourist Control Board.

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. August - October 1997

Africa Research Bulletin [London]. August - October 1997

West Africa. [London]. August - October 1997

Electronic Sources : IRB Databases, REFWORLD, LEXIS/NEXIS, WNC, Internet.

Resource Centre Ghana country file (1997)