CONFLICT AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This study examined whether conflict is integrated into District Development Planning in the Northern Region of Ghana as a way of dealing with the protracted nature of violence and communal conflict in the region. The District Planning and Coordinating Units (DPCU) of two Local Government institutions in the Northern Region were involved in this study. These include Yendi Municipality and Tamale Metropolis. In conducting this study, in-depth interviews and secondary data collected from books, journal among others were used in data collection. The findings of the study are presented and analysed descriptively. The findings of the study revealed that the causes of conflict in the region stem from two main points and these are structural and development slip-ups. In order to deal with the conflict situation in the region, conflict management programmes aimed at promoting social auditing and the provision of livelihood support schemes have been introduced and are being implemented in the region. However, the region continues to experience repeated conflicts mainly because there are problemswit h the implementation of the conflict management programmes in District Development Planning. In terms of the extent to which District Development Planning incorporates conflict management into District Development Planning the results revealed that more efforts need to be put in place by governments and civil society organizations. The resources committed to conflict management in District Development Planning come from both local and international organisations. The study recommends the intensive incorporation of conflict management programmes into development planning at all levels. There must be greater involvement of Government and state institutions in the planning, design and implementation of conflict management programmes. Constant dialogue, negotiation and institutional buy-outs among other are recommended as options for dealing with the causes of conflict in the Northern Region.