Dealing with traditional conflicts : a review of the actors, mechanisms and dynamics of the Dagbon Chieftaincy Conflict in the northern region of Ghana

This thesis looks at third party actors’ roles and mechanisms employ in the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute and, how the disputants perceive their work. The findings are based on interviews with NGOs, the royal families and expert witnesses who are directly involved in the mediation process. The interviews reflect on both state and non-state third party actors’ strategies and legitimacy issues surrounding their composition and work. The study establishes that the state constituted Wuaku commission to investigate the Criminal aspect and make recommendations to the government and, the Committee of Eminent Kings to use customary means to resolve the dynastic dispute. The commission work is over but the committee of kings is the main mediation body still mediating the dispute. The Wuaku commission suffered legitimacy issues because it was politically tainted hence, did not get the needed cooperation from the disputants. On the other hand the committee of eminent kings experiences full cooperation from all actors in the conflict. The work of the committee yielded a Roadmap to Peace, which is under implementation. The roadmap has some benchmarks for realization. The performance of Naa Mahamadu IV funeral rites, which is one of the benchmarks, is the bone of contention to resolution. Besides the state actors, there are also non-state actors that are working to promote peace and change the behavior and attitude of the disputants. This helps prepare them for mediation. The celebration of the Bugum and Damba festivals concurrently and independently by the regent of Naa Mahamadu IV, Mion Lana; Alhassan Abudu Ziblim (Abudu family) and Ya-Na Yakubu II caused the dispute. The study also reveals that there is friction between tradition and modern democratic practices in the king making causing mediation difficult