The Northern Region is witnessing protracted and relapsed conflicts, and attempts at resolving these largely through Western models, particularly the formal court system have not been successful. As such, this study explores the relevance of indigenous conflict management mechanisms in restoring enduring peace in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed a multiple case study design. Data was collected from fortythree purposively selected respondents using interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The results from thematic and cross-site analysis revealed that indigenous mechanisms have features of inclusive participatory approach at all levels of the conflict leading to acceptable outcomes. The traditional mechanisms have proven to be immediate and meaningful, accessible, and affordable. The use of local languages is well understood by all parties and processes and procedure are well attuned to local needs as they produce quick justice for the people. The development of a comprehensive programme to incorporate aspects of both the indigenous and western-centred judicial structures for the purposes of legitimacy of management outcomes is proposed.
It is a common belief in Ghana’s Tolon District’s Gbanjong community in the Northern region that left-handed people are less effective in society. The research looked into the cultural influences or underpinnings on the use of the left-hand in the Gbanjong community. The study employs a qualitative research methodology. Data was gathered through interviews, observation, and focus groups. There was a review of both primary and secondary literature. For people who use left-hand in the community, a purposive sampling strategy was applied. The study also used a random sample of chiefs, sub-chiefs, and opinion leaders. In all, 47 community members were sampled and interviewed. The study revealed some cultural underpinnings on the use of left-hand in the community, such as bad luck, can only marry chiefs and princes, cannot make quality traditional cultural local meals, myths, Evil and devilish occurrences. There were also some psychosocial and theological biases discovered during the research. The research revealed that left-hand users want changes that take into account their functionally diverse attributes and demonstrate a greater level of cultural tolerance towards them. Individual differences must be recognized and accounted for in all cultural customs and traditional issues, in accordance with Article 3 (1 p.2) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The study concludes that the people of the Gbanjong community in Ghana’s Tolon District should not have their choice of hand as a cultural grounding. The study has established that there are somecultural underpinnings or obstacles that exist in the world for left-hand use and contributes to the existing data on social acceptance of persons who are created differently.
Keywords: Left-handed, Taboos, Right-hand, Culture, Physical Activity, Customs, Underpinnings
Chieftaincy violence and tensions have persisted in most of the Savannah Region's traditional areas, and attempts to resolve them through the formal court system have failed since the parties reject most court decisions. Consequently, this study examined cultural dynamics in conflict management. A multiple case study design was used while data were gathered using interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic and cross‐case analyses were used to analyze the data. The study found that structural causes of the conflicts are interwoven with cultural breakdowns. The cognizance of culture into the management process by the traditional committees formed resulted in acceptable outcomes, as the processes proved to be meaningful to all stakeholders because it better met local needs. It is proposed that stakeholders in conflict management and peacebuilding should encourage, develop, and expedite local conflict management processes, with culture as an essential factor to consider in the process.
Ghana has experienced a general decline in the levels of poverty. Despite this drop, there are patches of poverty in both rural and urban with the rural setting being the worst affected. This situation emerged possibly because the kind of livelihood strategies adopted did not ensure a sustainable and complete reduction in the poverty levels across the entire country. On that account, this study examined how farm and non-farm livelihoods promote poverty reduction in Ghana. Data were from Ghana Statistical Service database. Analysis of data involved one-sample t-tests and independent sample t-tests. The study finds that, significant differences exist between rural and urban residents‟ income earnings from farm activities, non-farm enterprises and the upper poverty line. The study concludes that both farm and non-farm activities are crucial to ending poverty in Ghana. It is recommended that agriculture and non-farm enterprises be developed in both rural and urban settings respectively.
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