CONFLICT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION MECHANISMS IN THE GA CHIEFTAINCY CONFLICT

ABSTRACT Many conflicts in Ghana have assumed protracted nature. State and civil society organizations have used a variety of conflict resolution mechanisms to tackle most of these conflicts. However, the reoccurrence of these conflicts over time have questioned the resolution mechanisms employed to resolve these conflicts. This study sought to assess the conflict resolution mechanisms used by institutions like National Peace Council (NPC), Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs (GARHC) and Regional Security Councils(REGSEC) in resolving the Ga chieftaincy conflict. The study used eight key respondents who were purposively selected and 215 respondents who were conveniently selected. The mixed method approach was used for data collection and analysis. The study revealed that the root cause of the Ga Chieftaincy conflict is about who is the rightful successor to the Ga Mantse throne after the Ga Mantse Boni Nii Amugi II. It was also revealed that mediation, adjudication and police intervention are the most commonly used mechanisms by the conflict resolution institutions (NPC, GARHC and REGSEC). These institutions have not been able to resolve the conflict and in the process has rendered the mechanisms ineffective due to multiple challenges. Lastly, the study revealed that the approval of the Ga chieftaincy constitution by the relevant government institutions with the help of the four ruling houses and Ga Dsase to clearly state the succession line would go a long way to help resolve the Ga chieftaincy conflict. The study recommended the use of conciliation to support various indigenous resolution mechanisms to resolve the Ga Chieftaincy Conflicts.