They adjudicate numerous disputes (low-level conflict resolution)

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CHIEFTAINCY CONFLICT, ASSOCIATED VIOLENCE & RECONCILIATION- THE CASE OF DAGBON TRADITIONAL CONFLICT IN GHANA

PAPER SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF MA COURSE IN PEACE & CONFLICT STUDIES

OCTOBER 2005

PAPER SUBMITTED TO

 PROFESSOR CHARLES WEBER

PREPARED BY: PEACE SAGOE

Definition of Key Terms in the Topic

From the Web by Thomas Paine, Conflict can be defined as an open clash between two opposing groups or individuals" the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph".

According to Charles P. Webel, and David P. Barash, Conflict occurs when different social groups are rivals or otherwise in competition. This fits to some extent the Dagbon case.

Violence is defined as hurting and killing or threatening to do so in any way and in any context.

Violence is an act of aggression (as one against a person who resist). He may accomplish by craft in the long run what he cannot do by force and violence in the short one.

Reconciliation: The reestablishing of cordial relations. Bringing together again in love or friendship.

Brief Description of Ghana

  • The ancient empire of Ghana was located in the Western Sudan at least 500miles from modern Ghana. Included parts of modern Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. This empire arose around the 3rd Century BC and flourished for more than a thousand years.
  • Ghana was an important center of trade. Its wealth was great that Arabs called it the land of gold and this is still used today
  • Modern Ghana is located in West Africa bordering the Gulf of Guinea between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
  • Has a tropical climate that is warm and relatively dry along the Southeast cost, hot and humid in the Southwest and hot and dry in the north.
  • Natural resources are gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, rubber and hydropower.
  • Population about 20 million people with approximately 32 % living in poverty.
  • English is the official language with ethnic languages in use (e.g. Akan, Ewe, Ga etc.)
  • Religious brake down of the population (63%Christian, 21%Indigenous and 16%Muslims)
  • Current president is John Agyekum Kufuor of the NPP that defeated his opponent John Atta Mills of the NDC in December 2000.This election ended 20 years of rule by the PNDC that metamorphosed into NDC.
  • Three major political parties NPP, NDC and CPP
  • An area of 92,100 square miles with Accra being its capital
  • World Bank/IMF programs have negatively affected Ghanaians in the 1990's in the form of low wages, high inflation and increasing unemployment and growth of the economy remains an elusive goal
  • There are records of human rights violations under unconstitutional, undemocratic dispensations which are currently being addressed
  • Annual population growth rate is at 1.7%
  • A constitutional democratic state that gained independence from the United Kingdom on March 6, 1957 with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as first Prime Minister
  • Per Capita GDP is $ 1980 and GDP growth rate of 0.3%
  • Inflation rate is 25% and the currency is Cedis
  • Drought, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, water pollution, insufficient portable water remains some environmental concerns to mention but a few.
  • For more on the political history of Ghana, and the colonial intervention in the country, please visit
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The Institution of Chieftaincy / Traditional Rulership

Ghana's constitution emphatically states that the institution of Chieftaincy, together with its traditional council as established by customary law and usage is hereby guaranteed. It defines a chief as a person who hailing from the appropriate family or lineage has been validly nominated, elected or selected and enstooled, enskinned or installed as a chief or queen mother in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage.

The constitution mandates the establishment of a House of Chiefs in each region and it sets up a National House of Chiefs. Each regional ...

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