The National Peace Council (NPC) has intensified efforts to prevent chieftaincy disputes and strengthen peacebuilding mechanisms by training traditional authorities and local government officials in the Asuogyaman District on conflict management and governance.
The one-day capacity development programme, held at the Bogyawe Palace in Akwamufie, brought together chiefs, local government officers and key stakeholders to explore strategies for resolving disputes, promoting social harmony and enhancing collaboration between traditional and state institutions.
According to the Eastern Regional Chairman of the National Peace Council, Dr Mark Boadu, the initiative was prompted by findings from research conducted by the Council, which revealed a growing number of chieftaincy-related disputes in communities across the region.
He said the training was designed to equip traditional leaders with practical knowledge of the Chieftaincy Act and other relevant legal frameworks to help them manage conflicts before they escalate.
“For us at the Peace Council, all we pray for is peace and harmony. We are being proactive because we will not wait for disputes to flare up before we come and talk about peace,” Dr Boadu stated.
He stressed that preventive education and continuous engagement with traditional authorities were essential to maintaining peace and stability in communities and called on chiefs throughout the Eastern Region to partner with the Council on similar initiatives.
A key focus of the programme was the role of traditional authorities in dispute resolution. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) expert and legal practitioner, Mr Alex Nartey, noted that chiefs possess constitutional authority to resolve certain disputes within their jurisdictions through customary arbitration.
He observed that many disagreements that could be settled at the community level often end up in court, resulting in delays, increased costs and prolonged tensions.
Mr Nartey argued that strengthening the dispute resolution capacity of traditional leaders would improve access to justice, reduce pressure on the formal judicial system and foster lasting peace within communities.
“It is only when we are able to manage conflict that there will be development, happiness and peace within our communities,” he said.
The programme also reignited discussions on the need to revitalise traditional courts as complementary institutions to Ghana’s formal justice system.
Nana Ofei Boadu, Tufuhene of Akwamuman, commended the National Peace Council for the initiative, describing it as timely and relevant in addressing emerging governance and conflict-related challenges.
He advocated greater recognition of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms and called for stronger involvement of chiefs in decisions relating to natural resources and community development.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief of the Akwamu Traditional Area, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, reaffirmed the important role chiefs play in Ghana’s governance architecture and urged traditional leaders to embrace continuous learning to improve their effectiveness.
He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the programme in their respective communities to help sustain peace, strengthen local governance and support national development.
The National Peace Council believes such engagements will contribute significantly to reducing chieftaincy disputes and promoting peaceful coexistence through stronger traditional leadership and effective conflict management systems.
