Indigene-Settler Conflict: A Case Study of the Gbi and Hohoe-Zongo Conflict

Abstract

Indigene-settler conflicts have occurred all the world over as a result of the differences in basic human-needs such as food, water, shelter and security as pointed out by human-needs theory. Then also, they occur based on ideas, cultural practices and socio-political organisations as espoused by the psycho-cultural conflict theory. Ghana is no exception. Indigene-settler conflicts pose serious threat to peace and stability that the country is enjoying. This study used the indigene-settler conflict between the indigenes of Gbi and Hohoe-Zongo settlers as a case study. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the participants. In-depth interviews and unstructured observation guide were used to obtain data from the participants for the study. The study revealed that the root causes of the conflict were historical antecedence, identity and ethnicity, hegemony and ownership as well as social relationship. The conflict led to loss of lives, people were permanently relocated to other towns and Hohoe has lost its status as the commercial hub of the Volta Region. The study recommends that State Farm should be established by the government in the area to provide economic activities for the teaming unemployed youths. Inter-marriage is also recommended to repose trust between the two communities and improve upon their interpersonal relationship which will again boost the socio-economic activities and promote sustainable peace in the area.