Abstract:
The African continent has witnessed a number of bloody conflicts since the end of the cold
war leading to serious consequences including political, social, economic and humanitarian
problems. Although Ghana enjoys considerable peace compared to Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia,
Sierra Leone and others, it is venerable to intermittent communal violence as well as ethnic
and chieftaincy conflicts. The Northern Region, in particular has witnessed protracted
conflicts over chieftaincy such as the succession dispute between the Abudu and Andani
Royal Families of the Dagbon Kingdom.
Analysing data from both primary and secondary sources, the study found that although
unemployment, particularly among the youth, has caused social upheavals, the conflict in
Dagbon is directly linked to chieftaincy. The two Royal gates, Abudus and Andanis have
failed to abide by the laid down framework on succession to the skin. These have evoked
tension, mistrust and suspicion among the two families thereby slowing development
programmes in the area.
Given the dynamics of the conflict, only an independent body particularly, non-state actors
such as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have the wherewithal to instigate a peaceful
solution to the conflict.
