Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to understand the Zongo conflict in Nandom by
exploring the dynamics involved, the actors involved and the threats to the resolution of
the conflict. The study was approached qualitatively and designed as a case study. A total
of ten (10) key informants participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth
interviews and observation. Data was analysed using thematic template analysis. The
study unearthed that the illness of the Imam and his vice which created a position
vacancy of the Imamship as the immediate cause of the conflict. The conflict degenerated
into fierce struggle over the Imamship and disagreement over choice of candidates,
introduction of ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ rethoric, as well as use of abusive language and
attacks caused the conflict among the orthodox Muslims in the Nandom Zongo
community. The study revealed that the conflict has strong socio-political, economic,
security and religious implications on the Zongo community. The study further found that
apart from the primary conflict parties, there were state actors, traditional actors, group
actors and independent actors in the conflict. The dynamics of the conflict were informed
by the grievances of the conflict parties, actor interaction and conflict parties’
commitment to the conflict. Threats to the resolution of the conflict exist at system level,
actor level and traditional level. The study recommended that trust and confidence
building in conflict parties by intervening parties should be ensured, politics should be
decoupled from the conflict, there should be non-interference of political figures in the
conflict, sensitization of the Zongo people on the need to be peaceful should be carried
out by third parties mediating the Zongo conflict and continuous security surveillance of
the Zongo community should be ensured. The study contributes to the understanding of
conflict dynamics and actor interaction in conflict processes.
Description:
A Thesis in the Centre for Conflict, Human Rights and Peace Studies,
Faculty of Social Sciences Education, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Human Rights, Conflict and Peace Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba
APRIL, 2021