(CONFLICTS): CAN THERE BE AN END TO NORTHERN GHANA CONFLICTS?

By Northern Ghana, I am referring to the five administrative regions of the guinea Savannah ecological zone. The Savannah Region, Northern Region, Upper West Region, Upper East region and North East Region.

Conflicts occur in almost every region of Ghana, but Northern Ghana has gained the Notoriety of being a conflict zone because of its higher rate of conflict incidence. Since the 1980s, there have been continuous protracted violent conflicts that have erupted in almost all parts of Northern Ghana.

The Northern region, for instance, record have been taken of the 1994 ‘’Guinea Fowl war’’ fought between the Konkombas on one side against the Nanumba, Gonja, and Dagomba ethnic groups, the 1981 ‘’Pito War’’ between the Nanumba and Konkomba, the 1994 Wasipe- Yazori chieftaincy problem, the 1980s Gonja- Vagla Tuna conflict, the Bimbilla skin conflict, the Buipe chieftaincy conflict, the Dagbon war, the several clashes between the Bimobas and Konkombas, the 1991 Nawuri- Gonja war and the recent clashes between the Tampulmas and the Gonjas in the Wasipe traditional area.

In the Upper East region, conflict situations such as the Bawku chieftaincy war, Mirigu- Kandinga chieftaincy clashes, a dispute over the allocation of the capital of the newly created Talensi/Nabdam district, Winkogo and Kalbeo land- boundary dispute, Chuchuliga chieftaincy clashes and so on have been recorded. The Upper West region has also recorded conflicts such as the Wa paramountcy skin clashes, the Kpaliwogu chieftaincy affairs, the Sankana chieftaincy affair, Wallembelle skin conflict, the Chereponi Chokosi and Konkomba recent land conflict in the North East region.

In all these instances, there are certain factors that are common in each case. It is either land or chieftaincy Dispute. Northern Ghana, unlike the other regions, has a heterogeneous cultural setting. It is the part that contains many different smaller tribes and ethnic groups living on their individual separate lands in the same geographical area. This makes it difficult for the people to coexist peacefully, since sometimes, in some cases there is a language barrier between two neighboring communities. This puts virtual boundaries between them. They attend different smaller markets, which do not enhance economic development, attend different schools, etc.

Some communities are virtually together, but they may have different cultures, speak different languages and so on. In that instance, there would be a claim over superiority and supremacy. Each tribe would want to prove it is more powerful and superior. Northern Ghana is a conflict fragile area, meaning a little thing can cause misunderstanding which can also lead to violent conflict. Just like the 1994 Guinea fowl conflict. Because there are historical antecedents and precedents, any trivial thing can fuel turmoil in the area. These historical antecedents may be borne out of some struggles the forefathers underwent in securing the lands. No generation may be prepared to lose the heritage that was given to them by their ancestors.

Another cause is the chieftaincy. An example is the Dagbong 2002 crises which displaced thousands of lives. It is mostly lack of compliance or unavailability of regulations in selecting a new chief that mostly escalates into conflict.

Each tribe should be made autonomous. Meaning they would be allowed to select their own chiefs. The instances where a paramount chief from other tribe selects the chief of another tribe should be reconsidered. There should Kingmakers in each tribe. The kingmakers would also make regulations which would be followed strictly when choosing a new leader. In effect, Paramountcy should be demarcated by tribal boundaries

There should be a committee constituted and tasked with the responsibility of having discussions with the People of the region leading to finding a lasting peace among them. If we sensitize and educate the people on the effects of conflict on their lives and how conflict can never solve their problems they will be peace in Northern Ghana.

BY: SB BITIAN

DISCLAIMER: The author is a news writer for Ghanashowbiz.com. This article is, however, his personal opinion and does not represent the media organization he works for.

All concerns, suggestions whatsoever should be addressed to him.

+233546137664  or  sbboakye003@st.st.ug.edu.gh