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Corpses from Gbenyiri conflict decompose in Damongo morgue

September 29, 2025

Three corpses from the Gbenyiri conflict in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region have decomposed at the St. Anne’s Catholic Hospital mortuary in Damongo.

The situation has created a strong odour affecting hospital staff and passersby.

The three, all male, are part of seven bodies moved in August 2025 from Sawla to Damongo due to a lack of space.

Hospital sources told JoyNews the problem was caused by a mortuary fridge that broke down for a week.

The conflict began on August 24, after a dispute over ownership of a 10-square-metre piece of land in Gbenyiri.

The matter was settled at the Chief’s palace, but one party disagreed. Violence broke out, leaving five people dead.

The clashes spread to other parts of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and the Bole District.

when contacted, the Savannah Regional Crime Officer, ASP Godfrey Quaye, said the police had not been officially notified by the hospital.

“Well, I’m hearing this from you for the first time because the hospital officials are yet to speak to the police,” ASP Quaye said.

On when the bodies would be released for burial, ASP Quaye explained, “You see, the Regional Minister said we should hold on, and also, there are other processes that we need to go through to ensure that nothing goes wrong, and we don’t also know whether government will do the burial or not.”

Sources say the Savannah Regional Security Council is divided.

Some members support a diplomatic burial to avoid tension. Others want the bodies released to families.

In the absence of Regional Minister Salisu Be-Awuribe, hospital authorities contacted the West Gonja MCE, Yakubu Yussif Castro, to help fix the fridge. That effort failed.

On Saturday, September 27, hospital officials brought in a technician from Tamale to repair the fridge. As of filing this report, the situation had not improved.

Currently, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Hospital holds five bodies. St. Anne’s Catholic Hospital has seven. Three bodies at Sawla have already been identified and buried.

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