Management of Nkonya Alavanyo conflict

Abstract

Conflict is an essential and unavoidable human phenomenon because where there is human interaction; there is a likelihood of personal likes and dislikes, and human rights abuses. These agreements and disagreement among individuals and groups lead them to conflicts. Conflicts are neither constructive nor destructive but the ways these are handle make them either positive or negative. This study was undertaken to examine the management mechanisms of Nkonya and Alavanyo conflict in the Oti and Volta Region of Ghana. The study analyzes the management process with particular focus on the use of Multi Track Diplomacy Theory, the mechanisms and approaches adopted by the mediation committee as well as the challenges that are associated with the mediation process. The research utilized qualitative approach and purposive sampling methods. The study concludes that various conflict management mechanisms have been employed in the Nkonya - Alavanyo conflict. However, the conflict management processes imparted knowledge which gave more credibility to the Multi-Track Diplomacy Theory of conflict management as the appropriate mechanism for this conflict. The study finally recommends that, not limited to Nkonya and Alavanyo but the entire country, there is the need to include peace education in our school curricular, organize adult‟s education for all chiefs and elders, create meaningful job for the youth to engage them in the development of the nation. When there is no peace, the country will never develop and moreover when the youth are engaged in meaningful work, they will not be engaging themselves in conflict that will destroy their peace of mind.