Third-Party Intervention and Conflict Transformation: A Study of Alavanyo-Nkonya Conflict, Ghana

Abstract

Conflicts, if not resolved or transformed, have the tendency of becoming protracted. In Ghana, protracted conflicts have been intervened by various third-party actors with varied approaches towards conflict transformation. In the case of the Alavanyo-Nkonya conflict, despite several third-party interventions, the conflict persists, and the underpinning reason(s) need further exploration. Guided by the input-output transformation process model, the study sought to assess the role of third-party intervention and conflict transformation in the Alavanyo-Nkonya conflict in Ghana. Using the exploratory design, the study collected data from three FGDs, eighteen key informant interviews (KIIs) and 28 in-depth interviews (IDIs) purposively. Third-party actors constitute both neutral and modified neutral individuals, including opinion leaders, assembly members, traditional authorities, the clergy, as well as government and non-governmental organisation who have intervened in the conflict. The results revealed that third-party interventions have contributed to a change in violent behaviours and attitudes of the conflicting parties, leading to relative peace in the area. The third-party actors used approaches including peace committee engagements and community engagements to generate the transformation processes to enable them to get this outcome. Lastly, although there has been relative peace, as a result of third-party intervention, the process faced challenges, including inadequate funding, inadequate expertise, and failure to implement third-party recommendations by government. It is therefore recommended that government should collaborate with other stakeholders to set up victim support centres and training of local third-party actors to continue and sustain the conflict transformation processes.