Economic effects of conflict on inter-ethnic relations: Insights from Gonja-Nawuri conflict in Kpandai

Abstract

This paper examined the economic effects of Gonja-Nawuri conflicts on inter-ethnic relations in Kpandai. The protracted inter-ethnic conflict in Kpandai not only caused the loss of lives and properties in the area but also contributed significantly to ethnic displacement and low economic productivity. The conflict has also underwritten the underdeveloped nature of the district and its catchment areas in northern Ghana. The theoretical framework of analysis is the greed and grievance theory. The paper also employed an exploratory case study design and relied on data from in-depth interviews. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews from purposively selected 30 study participants from the five major ethnic groups and some key informants in the study area. The analysis of both primary and secondary data revealed that the colonial policy of subordination and realignment of traditional authorities in some parts of Northern Ghana for local administration and convenience created local power dominance. The phenomenon created ethnic superiority and political and social dominance of Gonjas over Nawuris in the Kpandai traditional area. The overall effect of the conflict from the study results is that it aggravates the social and economic relations among, and between the ethnic groups in the area. The paper concludes that the Gonja-Nawuri ethnic conflict had a severe tone on the lives of ordinary people irrespective of their ethnic origin. The devastating nature of it left many of the people jobless as they couldn’t continue with their day-to-day activities. The paper recommends that for Nawuris and Gonjas to harmonise their debilitating social relations, there is a need for mutual respect and a sense of social bonding. Also, though much effort went into peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction in the area, there is still the need for the local authorities, well-meaning citizens and opinion leaders in the area to intervene through social durbars with a theme ‘One Gonja, One Nawuri, One Kpandai’ in unity reconciliatory project.