The Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Peace Council (NPC) has revealed that it is currently addressing fifty-eight (58) different conflicts in the region, with chieftaincy disputes being the most prevalent.
Speaking on the Ultimate Breakfast Show, monitored by Kumasimal.com Rev. Emmanuel Badu Amoah, the Ashanti Regional Executive Secretary of the NPC, disclosed that these figures do not include the more than forty additional cases being managed exclusively by the Regional House of Chiefs.
“While the Ashanti Region is generally peaceful, there are pockets of conflicts and clashes in some communities. We are dealing with 58 issues at different levels of escalation,” Rev. Badu Amoah stated.
He further noted that the National Peace Council is handling over 700 conflict cases nationwide, countering the perception that the Northern part of Ghana has the highest concentration of conflicts.
He explained that conflicts in the North have gained more media attention due to the violent reactions often exhibited by the feuding factions.
“The last time we met as a peace council, we realized that there are actually more conflicts here in the South than in the North.
The different contexts and the reactive approaches of those involved make it seem like there are more conflicts in the North,” he clarified.
Rev. Badu Amoah also praised the leadership in the Ashanti Region for adhering to traditional conflict resolution methods that help maintain community cohesion.
“One of the strengths of the Ashanti Region is our structured system for dealing with conflicts. The deep Indigenous approach to conflict resolution, especially when the ‘ntam kesse’ (great oath) is invoked, often brings a definitive end to disputes,” he explained.
He also highlighted that, unlike Peace Councils in some other countries where members are appointed by the government, Ghana’s system allows various stakeholder bodies to nominate their representatives.
This process, he noted, has helped shield the NPC from perceptions of political influence.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
