The ancient town of Gulumpe witnessed a historic moment of reconciliation and renewed hope as the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) and the Konkomba Youth Association (KOYA) jointly held a peace and unity durbar on Saturday, 8th November, 2025 at Gulumpe to mark the climax of a week-long peace initiative aimed at rebuilding trust and fostering lasting harmony among their people.
The event, graced by traditional rulers, government officials, and hundreds of youth brought together communities that were once divided by conflict to reaffirm their commitment to peace, dialogue, and mutual respect.
In a stirring address, the President of the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA), Mr. Alhassan Baba Darison, described the occasion as “the dawn of a new chapter” for both Gulumpe and Gonjaland, emphasizing that peace is the true foundation of development.
“We come not as opponents, but as one people bound by shared history and destiny,” Mr. Darison declared. “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, it is the presence of understanding, dialogue, and respect. From this day forward, Gulumpe will be remembered not as a place of conflict, but as a symbol of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.”
He urged the youth to redirect their energy from conflict toward rebuilding their communities, improving education and infrastructure, and supporting local development efforts.
“No investor will bring resources to a divided land. Let us unite and transform Gulumpe into a beacon of progress for the Savannah Region and Ghana at large,” he added.
The President of the Konkomba Youth Association (KOYA), Mr. Titus Jawul, also delivered a heartfelt speech that echoed the spirit of reconciliation. He praised the leadership and cooperation between the two youth groups, describing their joint effort as a “powerful gesture of maturity and shared responsibility.”
“We are gathered not to commission projects, but to seek lasting peace over a matter that should never have escalated into violence,” he noted. “Today, Gonja and Konkomba youth, chiefs, and elders stand ready to engage in dialogue and reconciliation. This is how we defeat our common enemy — poverty.”
Mr. Jawul reflected on the painful history of past ethnic conflicts in Northern Ghana, reminding participants of the devastating effects of division.
“The conflicts of the 1990s claimed lives, destroyed livelihoods, and left scars that still linger. Let these memories guide us toward peace, not bitterness,” he said.
He also called on media practitioners to practice responsible journalism, warning that sensational reporting can deepen ethnic divides.
“No one has ever been awarded a trophy for war,” he emphasized, urging all ethnic-based youth groups across Ghana to emulate the unity between the Gonja and Konkomba youth.
Both leaders reaffirmed their associations’ commitment to supporting the efforts of chiefs, government, and security agencies in maintaining peace and ensuring that Gulumpe’s tragedy is never repeated.
The durbar ended with symbolic gestures of unity between the two ethnic groups, traditional blessings for lasting harmony, and a joint pledge to build a peaceful and prosperous future.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
