The Effects Of The Gonja-Nawuri Conflict On Inter-Ethnic Relations In Kpandai District

Abstract

Inter-ethnic conflicts have flared up intermittently in Ghana, especially in the northern part of the country, which has a large number of different ethnic communities. These conflicts have left damaging implications for socio-economic development, but also for inter-ethnic relations. This study sought to analyse the Gonja-Nawuri conflict of 1991-1992 in Kpandai in the Northern region. The objective was to establish the impact of the conflict on inter-ethnic relations. A cosmopolitan area, the Kpandai District is home not only to the ethnics Nawuri (indigenes) and Gonja (overlords), but also settlers, including Konkomba, Kotokoli,Bassare, Ewe, Nchumuru, Chokosi and Akans and others. The main cause of the conflict was the claim and counter-claim of Nawuri and Gonja to the ownership of the land, with both ethnic groups claiming to possess documents testifying to their ownership. The study found that the conflict, among other things spawned coalition, even if temporarily and fragile. Nawuri were supported by other ethnic groups against the Gonja. It noted further that the alliance was strengthened by the subscription to a common religion of the coalescing communities. Moreover, prior to the outbreak of the war inter-ethnic marriages helped to promote the peaceful co-existence between the Nawuri and the Gonja.