Posted by Chester Morton / Tuesday, 16 August 2016 / No comments
Peace building and conflict resolution
Definition of peacebuilding
Peacebuilding can be described as the conscious or deliberate effort, by a person or group of persons, to create an atmosphere
of harmonious living in society. Peacebuilding requires concrete measures
being put in place to ensure that people in a community live at peace with one
another.
SOME SOURCES
OF CONFLICT
Land deputes
One of the major sources of conflicts
in Ghana is land disputes. Examples of such conflicts are the ones between
Alavanyo and Nkonya, and the Tsito - Peki wars in the Volta Region of Ghana.
Chieftaincy disputes
Another source of conflicts in Ghana
chieftaincy disputes. This is very common. These conflicts are normally caused
by problems of succession to the throne. Examples of this kind of conflict
include the Dagbon feud that has existed for many years and the ascension to
the Anlo stool around the mid-2000.
Labour-related conflicts
There are often conflicts between
organized labour and employers. An example of this type of conflict was the one
between the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Ghana
Education Service. These conflicts on the labour front centre on salaries and
conditions of service.
Religious intolerance
This can also be a source of conflict
in society. For example, the ban on drumming by the Ga Traditional
Council at certain period of the year has resulted in conflicts over the right
to worship versus the right to the observance of traditional customary
practices. Conflicts also arise between members of the same church on doctrinal
differences.
Political conflicts
The activities of political parties
have also sometimes generated conflicts in society. The two major political
parties in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress, and the New Patriotic Party,
have always been at each other’s throat, especially during elections years.
These political conflicts have sometimes spilled over to society.
Unfair treatments injustice
At times, a section of the society/nation
feels that it is not being treated fairly in the distribution of the national
cake, appointments to prominent positions in government. In other cases,
people’s assets were unfairly confiscated; people were arbitrarily dismissed
from the public service; people were publicly flogged, and some were
arbitrarily executed. These violations of our national motto of “freedom and
Justice” alienated a lot of people and created resentments and conflicts. In
other words, disregard for the rule of law lies at the root of some of the
conflicts that plague our society.
The desire of political leaders to
entrench themselves in power
Some politicians do not want to leave
power when it is time for them to go. Some also, in their inordinate desire to
come to power employ various antagonistic measures to get to power. For
example, ruling governments rig elections or manipulate the electoral process
to gain an advantage over their opponents. This can sometimes lead to conflicts
with civil society groups and other politicians.
Unacceptable government policies
Some government policies can become
a source of conflict in our society. The first introduction of Value Added
Tax (VAT) by the Rawlings NDC government in the mid-1990s became a source of
serious conflict between the ruling NDC and the opposition parties. An Alliance
for Change was formed by the opposition parties to compel the government to
withdraw the VAT.
The liberalization of the airwaves
Currently, there are over 300 private
radio stations in Ghana whose programme content is becoming a new source of
conflict in society. Some of the programmes are very critical of the ruling
government and others are very critical of the major opposition. This is
becoming a new source of conflict.
Corruption
In Ghana, most of the politicians are
perceived to be corrupt. This is due to the fact that while they tell the
people to tighten their belts, they see their political leaders openly
displaying wealth. Many of the coups that took place in Ghana since 1966 were
justified on grounds of corruption.
THE CONSEQUENCES
OF CONFLICTS
Destruction of Properties
Destruction of Properties
Conflicts often result in the
destruction of properties whether they are movable or immovable. In a conflict
in the Northern parts of Ghana some years ago, about 442 villages were
destroyed in the Yendi District alone.
Loss of skills
There is also loss of skills as a result
of the death and/or non-return of skilled people to the conflict areas. Political
instability and persecutions, ethnic cleansing, etc. may push out a lot of a
nation’s personnel into foreign lands leading to the loss of skilled doctors,
teachers, administrators, etc.
Displacement of People
Another adverse consequence of
conflicts is the displacement of people. In the Northern conflict in Ghana in 1994/95,
many persons were displaced, covering seven administrative districts.
Loss of Lives
Conflicts result in the loss of
precious lives. In the civil in of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cote D’Ivoire,
over one million lives were lost. In the Northern conflict in Ghana, over a
thousand lives were lost.
Decimation of population
Conflicts (in the form of civil wars)
decimate a population leaving large numbers of orphans and widows. For example,
in Tinga in the Gushiegu/ Karaga District, for example, children from 14
households were counted as orphans who lost both parents as a result of a
conflict.
Conflict leaves psychological scars
Many people who witnessed killings
(during civil wars), and/or are themselves victims of crimes such as torture may
become traumatized for a long time, sometimes even life. The wounds
inflicted by conflicts may go festering even long after the end of the conflict.
SAMPLE
QUESTION(S)
1. a. Explain the term “Peace
building”
b. Explain any five sources of conflict in your country.
