Intra-lineage chieftaincy conflict on socio-economic development of the Sefwi Wiawso traditional area

Abstract

The interest of the researcher is to examine the effects of violent intra-lineage chieftaincy conflict on family relationships, the provision of social services, and ultimately, the livelihood of people in the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area. The researcher used a qualitative approach and narrative design to collect data from a sample of 25 respondents from Aboduam, Attaboka, Boinzan, Bosomoiso-Afereɛ and Wiawso. The researcher used semi-structured interview guide for the primary data sources and written documents, articles, news prints for the secondary sources of data for the study. The results of the study revealed that production in agriculture, commerce and industry have been adversely affected. Furthermore, the violent conflict has led to loss of assets, valued at several millions of Ghana cedis. The resultant insecurity diverts the attention of government and the Municipal/District Assembly from tackling pressing developmental issues. There was mutual effects of intra-lineage chieftaincy conflict and socio-economic development of people of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area. Therefore, it is recommended that education and effective dialogue should be used by stakeholders to manage the conflict.