DISPUTE RESOLUTION AMONG THE GURUNSIS OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

There has been great concern in recent times about the spate of conflict between and among indigenous people, and the impact of these conflicts on sustainable development. Traditional Institutions that are responsible for conflict management within rural communities have not been effective in this role for several reasons as well as the use of foreign conflict resolution mechanisms. Despite efforts by government and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to resolve these conflicts, they still remain a mirage, reversing development efforts in the conflict areas. The impacts of these conflicts have been severest on the vulnerable groups such as women and children, the aged and the deprived. This study examined traditional and modem conflict resolution mechanisms. In the past, the family structure was the basic unit of human existence, the nucleus around which family ties revolved. It served as the immediate arm mandated by custom and tradition to play the role of the judiciary in times of disagreements. However, with the introduction of modem political systems tracing back from the time of indirect rule, traditional conflict resolution mechanisms have been frowned on. Interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires were the main data collection instruments, The study revealed that indigenous Gurune people have various traditional mechanisms employed in resolving conflicts when they arise in the household, clan, community and the village at large. Modern systems have however corrupted the traditional systems of conflict resolution given that rendering them ineffective. The study made some suggestions, notable among these is a call for an amalgamation of both traditional and modern systems of conflict resolution so as to bring about lasting peace, the Gurune like any other traditional group of people have to deal with both traditional and modern systems.