Some citizens have expressed concern with the growing security issues regarding chieftaincy disputes in the Northern parts of Ghana. As such, they called for engagement and education for the residents in these areas on the need to ensure peace by resolving long standing disputes.
Speaking with the Vaultz News, Ofoe Adusu, a farmer, averred that with the issue of conflict in the some parts of the North, especially in Bawku and its environs, he thinks one of the things that can be done to curb the growing conflict between these feuding factions, is constant education on the need to ensure there is peace and also making sure that there are jobs for the youth to do.
According to Mr. Adusu, he is confident that when the youth are engaged in meaningful work, they wouldn’t have the time and energy to engage in fighting among themselves.
Mr. Adusu advised that the youth also have to be educated on the importance of unity and development. This, he averred, will help deal with the issue of rising conflicts and attacks in these communities. “I think that is the best way to go because education is very important.”
Speaking on how the issue of conflicts and chieftaincy disputes can be tackled in these communities, a graduate of the University of Ghana, Kelvin Quartey suggested that government through the Chieftaincy Ministry and other related agencies must deploy experts to some of these communities to engage with the traditional leaders and educate them about the negative consequences of these conflicts.
“It is very important and I believe when these things are done effectively, the conflict will gradually come to a halt.”
Kelvin Quartey
Kelvin Quartey further asserted that the act of conflicting itself is not a good practice, as such, leaders must make a conscious effort to see to an end of this activity that is threatening the safety of the residents living in these towns.
Political Interference, cause of conflicts
Sharing his view, Mr Edmund Coffie, an accountant with a finance institution blamed the tribal conflicts and chieftaincy disputes on political interference. He explained that if some of the issues happening in the Northern part of the country are looked at critically, there is a politically connotation to it.
“So, a faction can be linked to a political party and this breeds a whole lot of tension.”
Edmund Coffie
Mr. Coffie then suggested a thorough education on the need to ensure safety by the various authorities to the residents and those involved in the attacks to shun away from it.
“Now if they are educated properly, it will help the youth and also help investors to come in and create jobs for the youth. Should the government get involved, it’s going to be in a political level which I think is one of the main causes of these conflicts.”
Edmund Coffie
Mr. Coffie further called for a bi-partisan engagement with residents to resolve some long standing tribal and chieftaincy issues. He added that it will help in resolving some of these old age conflicts.
Edmund Coffie urged the traditional authorities in the area not to retaliate against one another as this does not augur well in trying to ensure peace and safety in the area.
“The best way for these conflicts to stop is for the people to understand each other. They should say that look, if we continue in this direction, there won’t be any development. So, the best option is for us to unite and when there is unity there is development. This issue is complex but I believe this is best way to go about it.”
Edmund Coffie
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