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Development Sector: Peace Building
1981: During the first visit into the Janga...
area by NEA representatives it was noted that the Janga area chieftancy system was well established. Even at local gatherings, every sub-chief knew exactly where he was to sit in the circle of rulers and even who was to dance first,second and so on, when the local drummers began to drum. The long standing traditions and protocol were followed down to the last detail. The ruling chief when NEA began work there had been in power for at least 20 years and was well-respected by sub-chiefs, the community, the Paramount Chief (overall chief of the tribe) and in the Northern Region House of Chiefs (chiefs from all over Northern Region). He had a vision for the sustainable development of the area and was not just looking for what could benefit his family - which is often the case.
1993
The first time NEA was called to mediate in a conflict situation in Janga was 1993. An issue arose between two villages over the stealing of two cattle, that nearly turned into a battle between the two communities. NEA was able to keep the dialogue going between the parties while a messenger was sent to retrieve the police in the event a fair solution, could not be reached.
2001
The next time NEA was called to Janga was in 2001. This time it was an issue over cattle again. While the tomato farms were nearing harvest, a herd of cattle not being closely monitored by the herdsman destroyed several acres of crops. Tensions rose between the tomato farmers and the herdsmen of the area and NEA was asked to assist in mediation so that those who had lost their crops could be reimbursed and policies could be set in place to stop this from happening in the future.
2002
The third time NEA was asked to take this role in Janga was in 2002. The old chief had died and it was time to select a new chief. This is a coveted position and a member of the community, who was not in the traditional line to contest for this position, was trying to break chieftaincy protocol. To add to the seriousness of this maneuvering, he had the support of the ruling political party. Through negotiations this was resolved and a conflict was averted.
1996: The Deg area is a different story...
In 1996, the Deg tribe had only recently been able to establish its right to having a Paramount Chief by producing historical archives showing old colonial boundaries and documents. The person who was in line for this prestigious position, was absent from the country and this gave rise to a situation where the chiefs acted more autonomously since they did not have their leader to look to. Their vision was therefore more on their villages and the land under their jurisdiction. Coupled with this, some of the chiefs were not in support of an absentee chief and felt that it would be more unifying to have one of the existing chiefs chosen for this position. Others were in support of the Paramount Chief even though he was absent. It brought a serious division. In fact, it very nearly errupted into a violent conflict in 1998 when people were arming themselves for war because of allegiance to one side or the other over who was to receive the Paramount Chief's tax. NEA worked night and day to get the Regional Government to send security forces to keep peace - they got there just in time. NEA recognized these problems as soon as they began to consider work in the area and felt that one of the most important building blocks to the development of the area was to bring the chiefs together to look at the broader picture. On one occasion they invited about eight of the chiefs to visit the Janga area. This was a turning point for the chiefs, they saw firsthand the magnitude of development that was possible and second the unity of the Janga area chiefs who were keenly behind and involved. It truly gave them a vision for something as good if not better in their own locale and helped them to set aside their differences.
NEA started by having regular meetings with the chiefs in 1996. At these meetings, chiefs were able to voice the priority needs of their areas. There were also educational discussions on various topics from HIV/AIDS to the effects of charcoal burning on the land, rainfall patterns, and future generations. Relevant case studies on land use and chieftaincy were also presented in these discusions, giving the chiefs an opportunity to voice their opinions and come to collective decisions on how to solve problems. Chiefs that were committed to seeing a positive change began to get excited, word spread and some of the more skeptical chiefs that were outside of this new circle began to feel that they were really missing out. The citizens of the communities thought so too and began to voice their opinions to the chiefs. Slowly these chiefs worked their way into the group and now this unified body is standing as one, with a common goal - a better life for everyone.
Dr.David Mensah has been called upon to mediate for peace in several other situations. In 1994 and 1995 serious conflicts arose in the Eastern Corridor of Northern Region between the Dagobas, Nanumbas, Gonjas and the Konkomba tribe. Several thousand people were killed. All aid agencies moved out of the area - except for Canada. Dr. Mensah worked closely with the Canadian High Commissioner, His Excellency, John Schram, to establish projects that would bring the people back together again. There have been no further conflicts between these tribes.
In 2002, Dr. Mensah was invited...
to be part of the Bawku Peace Initiative - one of the five members of the team inaugurated by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs to broker peace in Bawku following clashes in early 2002 where between 50 and 200 people were killed. After negotiating with both the tribes involved, a peace agreement was drafted which is still in effect.
In March, 2002, a very serious conflict took place in Northern Region. The Paramount chief of the Dagumba tribe and several of his elders were attacked and killed in Yendi. The government of Ghana set up an inquiry but was unable to bring culprits to trial. Tamale remained under curfew for more than two years. Several chiefs (headed by the Asantehene, one of Ghana’s most influential chiefs) were called in to bring about a peaceful transition of power and after much negotiation, the murdered chief was buried in 2006. Conflicts such as these, has caused the NEA to redouble their efforts to bring chiefs together to look for ways to prevent conflicts before they start. Closely monitoring potential areas of conflict and setting in place a negotiating process can allow for situations to be diffused before serious issues erupt. From 2002-2005 they organized 13 of such meetings. In these meetings they discussed potential conflict issues from their communities and were successful in preventing them.
Through NEA’s influence, they have refocused their energies on much needed development and protection of the environment under their jurisdiction. In their appreciation they honoured Dr. Mensah with the position of “Nkosohene”, or Chief of Development. This new position allows him to be part of the Deg Traditional Council thereby giving he and NEA a greater role in maintaining peace and promoting sustainable development.
>In 2006 and 2007 efforts and meetings continued
NEA has seen that the chiefs have moved a giant step further in this process. Several issues arose in various villages and the resident chiefs freely called on their colleagues to help in the negotiating process. In one village, animists told members of other religious groups that they were not allowed to work on Friday which was their holy day or they would be fined. They were adamant in their stand. Ghana espouses freedom of religion, and the other groups were not prepared to be dictated to. Tension rose in the community. The chief invited several chiefs to come and meet with the groups to get their perspectives and then organize a meeting of the whole village. An amicable solution was found and people are once again leaving peaceably. In another community, a handful of people began to claim that their clan alone owned the land and had sole jurisdiction over it. The village chief called in other chiefs as well as the land historian so that the truth could be ascertained. With the history revealed, the group was forced to agree that they were in error and apologize for the confusion they had caused. Peace prevails and the chiefs are proving that they have gained the tools necessary to maintain it. In 2007, several of the chiefs from the Deg and South Mo area were invited to participate in the SIM International Consultation held at Carpenter. Here they shared their experiences in peace-building with delegates from Benin, Bangladesh, Zambia, Niger, Ethiopia, Ghana, Canada, United States. They talked about the disunity that had once characterized their relationships and of the changes that have taken place. They laid down the principles that they are following to maintain peace which they believe if emulated at the grassroots level in other areas of Ghana and other countries would prevent major conflicts being fermented. One of the Zambian representatives summed up the meeting by telling them “What you have is precious. Hold it with both hands.” Also in 2007, Dr. Mensah was invited to address the Northern Region House of Chiefs (Chiefs of Northern Region) on the role of traditional authorities on attaining the millennium goals of addressing poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, gender inequality, illiteracy and environmental degradation. He reminded them of the esteem in which they are held, and the effort they must make to be peacemakers, protect the local environment and live lives of integrity.
In 2008-09
NEA plans to extend its reach to more communities and involve more chiefs in this process. Bi-monthly meetings will continue which give chiefs an open forum to discuss the problems they are facing and to come up with solutions together.