Centre for Conflict, Human Rights and Peace Studies

Inter-religious conflict between christianity and African indigenous religions in the Ga traditional area

2026-07-07T09:34:49Z

Inter-religious conflict between christianity and African indigenous religions in the Ga traditional area Frimpong, S. This research aimed to understand the inter-religious conflict between Christianity and Indigenous Religions in the Ga Traditional Area of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, focusing on their shared quest for spiritual fulfilment. This was done by exploring the causes, effects, dynamics, actors, threats to the resolution, and measures to resolve the conflict. The study was approached qualitatively and designed as a case study. A total of twenty (20) key informants participated in the study. Data was collected through indepth interviews and observation. Data was analysed using thematic template analysis. The study unearthed that the introduction of Christianity into the area, coupled with the settlement of different ethnic groups in the area, was the immediate cause of the conflict. The conflict had degenerated into a fierce struggle some years ago. However, the area is relatively calm. The introduction of ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ rhetoric and the subsequent disobedience by the non-Ga settlers for their Indigenous Religious celebrations served as some of the reasonable causes of the conflict. The study revealed that the conflict has strong socio-political, economic, security, and religious implications for the people in the Ga Traditional Area, irrespective of one’s religious affiliation. The study further found that apart from the primary conflict parties, there were state actors, traditional actors, group actors, and independent actors in the conflict. The dynamics of the conflict were informed by the continuous disrespect from the Christians, especially where the Akans are mostly dominated, actor interaction, and the conflict parties’ commitment to the conflict. Threats to the resolution of the conflict exist at the system level, actor level, political level, and traditional level. The study recommended that trust and confidence building in conflict parties by intervening parties should be ensured, politics should be decoupled from the conflict, respect for one’s religious belief must be prioritised, there should be non-interference of political figures in the conflict, sensitisation of the people in the Ga Traditional Area (both Christians and Indigenous Religious Believers) on the need to be peaceful and continuous security surveillance of the Ga community should be ensured. The study contributes to the understanding of conflict dynamics, actor interaction in conflict processes, and the possible measures for resolving the conflict in the area. A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Human Rights, Conflict and Peace Studies) CENTRE FOR CONFLICT, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE STUDIES, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA DECEMBER, 2024

Human rights and the post-arrest treatment of suspects- a case study of the Kasoa Central East police command

2026-06-24T12:27:42Z

Human rights and the post-arrest treatment of suspects- a case study of the Kasoa Central East police command Kudah, A.T. This study examines the relationship between human rights principles and the postarrest treatment of suspects in the Kasoa Central East Police Command in Ghana. The post-arrest phase is a legally and ethically sensitive stage of the criminal justice process, where protections for dignity, due process, and freedom from abuse are most vulnerable to infringement. Although Ghana’s constitutional framework and international treaty obligations provide clear safeguards, concerns persist about the consistency of their operational implementation at the command level. Adopting a qualitative case study design within an interpretivist paradigm, the study generated in-depth insights into postarrest practices and lived custodial experiences. Data were collected through purposive sampling of twelve (12) participants, comprising police officers and suspects. Semistructured interviews, supported by observations and document review, were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns related to procedural compliance, rights awareness, institutional constraints, and experiential outcomes. The findings reveal a complex relationship between formal human rights awareness and practical enforcement. While police officers demonstrated familiarity with constitutional and international human rights standards, implementation during the post-arrest phase was uneven and mediated by institutional culture, resource limitations, and operational pressures. Suspects reported experiences ranging from procedural compliance and respectful treatment to prolonged detention, coercive practices, and perceived psychological intimidation. The study identifies a significant gap between normative training and practical application, highlighting structural and organizational factors that shape rights outcomes beyond individual officer knowledge. The study concludes that post-arrest human rights protection within the Kasoa Central East Police Command cannot be assessed solely on the basis of formal legal compliance or training exposure. Rather, it is influenced by institutional capacity, supervisory mechanisms, enforcement orientation, and everyday police-suspect interactions. The research recommends strengthening practice-oriented human rights training, enhancing supervisory accountability at the command level, improving custodial infrastructure, and reinforcing independent oversight mechanisms to ensure consistent rights protection. A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of the Degree Master of Philosophy (Conflict, Human Rights, and Peace Studies) Centre for Conflicts Human Rights and Peace Studies Faculty of Social Sciences Education UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA SEPTEMBER, 202

How cultural practices shape intra-tribal conflict in the Yendi community of the Dagomba Kingdom

2026-06-24T12:22:17Z

How cultural practices shape intra-tribal conflict in the Yendi community of the Dagomba Kingdom Abukomah-Ampong, H. Intra-tribal conflicts in Northern Ghana, particularly in Dagbon, have repeatedly been linked to culturally embedded institutions that regulate authority, identity, and access to resources, with the 2002 Dagbon chieftaincy crisis in Yendi and the subsequent reconciliation culminating in the enskinment of Ya Naa Abukari II in 2019 underscoring the stakes of culturally grounded legitimacy. This study examined how cultural practices shape intra-tribal conflict and conflict resolution in the Dagbon community of Yendi Municipality, drawing analytically on access and symbolism theories to capture the interplay between material entitlements (notably land) and symbolic authority (notably chieftaincy and ritual). Using a pragmatic, mixedmethods explanatory sequential design, quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires from 364 randomly selected community members and integrated with qualitative interviews with 20 purposively selected chiefs, elders, and opinion leaders (total N=384). Quantitative analyses in IBM SPSS (v20) employed descriptive statistics; instrument reliability and validity were supported by pilot testing, Cronbach’s alpha=0.69, and exploratory factor analysis (KMO=0.72; Bartlett’s p<0.001). Interview data were thematically analysed with member checking and triangulation. Respondents strongly associated conflict with chieftaincy succession (mean=3.24), inheritance norms (3.45), rituals/ceremonies (3.30), and culturally mediated resource allocation (3.48), while women’s roles were rarely perceived as conflict drivers (1.97). Cultural practices were reported to intensify factional misunderstandings (3.33), structure how conflicts unfold and persist (e.g., culturally dictated handling, 3.48; loyalty/allegiance, 3.35), and amplify tensions during celebrations (3.45). For resolution, respondents preferred traditional mechanisms over formal legal systems (3.56), emphasizing elder mediation, ritual reconciliation (3.35), and forgiveness (3.45), yet acknowledging that rigid adherence to tradition can hinder resolution in contemporary, externally entangled disputes (2.99) and that women remain marginal in formal processes (1.97). The findings highlight culture’s dual role as both generator and remedy of conflict, implying that sustainable peacebuilding in Dagbon requires culturally legitimate mechanisms that are adaptive, inclusive, and attentive to contested access and symbolism, while addressing translation and scope limitations inherent in the study context. A dissertation in submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Human Rights, Peace and Conflict Studies) CENTRE FOR CONFLICT, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE STUDIES FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA DECEMBER, 2025

The implications of domestic violence on the academic performance of students in selected Junior High Schools in Bawjiase

2026-06-10T11:50:03Z

The implications of domestic violence on the academic performance of students in selected Junior High Schools in Bawjiase Quansah, E. Domestic violence is a pervasive problem affecting individuals and communities globally. The study examined the relationship between domestic violence and academic performance. The study was based on pragmatic philosophy and followed a sequential mixed-methods design. It targeted a population of 12 to 17-year-old students who have been exposed to or have witnessed domestic violence. The sample involved 39 students and 8 educators (counsellors and teachers). Instruments involved structured questionnaires for quantitative data and interviews with teachers and counsellors for qualitative data. It also utilised SPSS and Excel for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative findings to ensure full comprehension of the domestic violence and academic achievement relationship. The findings suggest that domestic violence poses a serious challenge for Junior High School students in Bawjiase, particularly younger female students who are most susceptible to physical and emotional abuse. Although older students develop coping mechanisms, they continue to experience long-term psychological consequences. Emotional distress and difficulty concentrating contribute to disengagement from learning, even though academic performance is not directly affected. This underscores the need for schools to prioritize emotional well-being as a key factor in academic success by implementing targeted support systems. While some students seek professional assistance or rely on personal resilience, limited access to mental health services remains a significant obstacle. Given the high level of domestic violence among Junior High School students, particularly for females within the 13–15 age groups, this study proposes the need for early intervention and protection programs to increase awareness and reduce the incidence of violence against Junior High School students, as well as to improve their quality of life. A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Human Rights, Conflict and Peace Studies) Centre for Conflict, Human Rights and Peace Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences Education, FEBRUARY, 2025 University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh