A Concomitant of Conflict and Consensus: Case of a Chieftaincy Succession in Ghana

Authors

Kaderi Noagah Bukari, Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF), Bonn-GermanyFollow

Abstract

Ghana is often seen as peaceful, but is faced with many chieftaincy conflicts that result mainly from succession to the throne (skin or stool) for traditional political power. Ghana has more than 230 chieftaincy disputes dotted across many parts of the country. However, the Bulsa Traditional Area (Buluk) of Ghana has had a stable and resilient chieftaincy succession despite conflicts arising out of the selection of chiefs. In the selection of chiefs, the adoption of a voting system is said to lead to consensus based decision-making which is largely responsible for the non-violent nature of the Buluk chieftaincy succession as compared to other areas in Ghana. Using a qualitative methodology, this case study examined in detail the chieftaincy succession system in the Bulsa Traditional area of Ghana, both conflict and consensus, and how this has helped over the years to maintain peace and avoid violence. The paper also examines whether this case could be a model for chieftaincy succession in Ghana.

Author Bio(s)

Kaderi Noagah Bukari is a Junior Researcher and PhD Student at the Zentrum für Entwicklungs Forschung (ZEF), Centre for development research, University of Bonn – Germany. He holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Peace and Development Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Mr. Bukari has a considerable interest in researching into chieftaincy, ethnic and resource conflicts, local politics of ethnic groups and development issues. His current PhD thesis is on farmer-Fulani herder conflicts and relations in Ghana.

Keywords

Chieftaincy conflicts, Ghana, Bulsa Traditional Area, peace and consensus

Publication Date

3-30-2016

DOI

10.46743/1082-7307/2016.1282

Recommended Citation

Bukari, Kaderi Noagah (2016) "A Concomitant of Conflict and Consensus: Case of a Chieftaincy Succession in Ghana," Peace and Conflict Studies: Vol. 23: No. 1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.46743/1082-7307/2016.1282
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/pcs/vol23/iss1/5