ASSESSMENT OF PEACE BUILDING PROCESS OF THE INTRA-ISLAMIC CONFLICT IN WA AND THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS BODIES IN GHANA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
Religion is deeply ingrained in an individual’s concept of peace as a key component of societal norms and values. It addresses some of the most pressing issues confronting humanity, such as violence, conflict resolution, and religious intolerance. Religion provides people with guidance in their daily lives (Soharwardy, 2003).
Religion, according to Ahmed (1992), has developed laws, norms, and ideas that provide civilization with cultural commitments to critical peace-related values like empathy, love for strangers, suppression of unbridled ego, acquisitiveness, human rights, unilateral gestures of forgiveness, humility, interpersonal repentance, and accepting responsibility for past errors as a means of repentance.
Religion has taken center stage on today’s policy agenda. Religion’s role in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding cannot be overlooked by policymakers any longer. While religion is frequently mentioned,
While it has been criticized for inciting violence, it also aids in conflict resolution and tension reduction. This study focuses on religion’s positive impact on promoting peace in Wa. While religion has never been completely absent from Ghanaian public and political life, it has long been marginalized in the north (Malik, 2000).
The realism school of thought, according to Funk (2006), has attempted to advocate for the separation of church and state, as well as religion and politics. Religion is viewed differently by different people as a personal subject that should be enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Despite this, religion continues to be a major social issue, and it appears to have captured the public’s attention.
The seizure of the in 1979 One of the events that contributed to a re-examination of religion’s role in conflict and war was the attack on the US embassy in Tehran by extreme Islamic extremists. This unexpected outcome prompted a review of religion’s role in the internal affairs of several states within the US Department of State. Other recent events, most notably the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and the ensuing war on terrorism, have prompted policymakers to recognize the importance of religion in today’s world politics (Soharwardy,2003). With increased religious sensitivity in areas of peace, the question of whether religion plays a role in domains such as peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and conflict resolution has arisen. Religion is not only blamed for causing problems.
Warfare, but also for conflict resolution. So, how can religion help with topics like tolerance, conflict resolution, discussion, and peace-building before, during, and after conflicts? Peace is a major concern in our time, especially with the rise of the globalization phenomenon. Conflict in any part of the world affects the rest of the world.
While conflict is a part of every human community, the nature and management of conflict determine its impact on society, according to Okunola (1998, p 123). Since independence, violent conflict has infiltrated some African countries’ sociopolitical and religious landscapes. The various religious conflicts have been the most significant in terms of intensity, speed, total number of victims, and overall effect. in the northern region of Nigeria (Fwa,2003). ‘While religious disputes are not as severe as in other West African sub-regional nations, there are ongoing religious conflicts, some of which include intra- and inter-ethnic antagonism,’ write Tsikata and Wayo (2004, p26). Muslims have been involved in violent incidents, particularly in Northern Ghana, Ashanti, and Brong-Ahafo. In a religious clash between Kotokoli and Dagomba at the Akim Oda Zongo in 1996, six people were killed, ten houses were burned down, and property worth millions of cedis was destroyed. There were clashes between Muslim groups in Wa, in the Upper West Region, in 1997. Confrontations between Tijaniya and Al Sunna Muslims occurred in Wenchi, Brong Ahafo Region, in 1994 and 1998. A
The 1998 riots were sparked by a dispute between the two parties over ownership rights to the Wenchi Muslim cemetery, which resulted in four deaths, twenty-four major injuries, and property destruction (Tsikata and Wayo, 2004).
According to Ahmed (1992), Islam, as a global organization par excellence, is well positioned to handle the global component of peacebuilding. This is especially true as we watch with dread a ticking time bomb looming over humanity in the form of massive weapon stockpiles in the arsenals of many wealthy and powerful religious sects. People’s religious conflicts are vast, diverse, and complex. To solve this problem, it had to be handled from multiple perspectives and discussed on multiple platforms. However, it must
It must be accepted that religion is one method for resolving these issues.
If religion is to meet the needs of modern man, it must strive for peace. Religious bodies are important in the peace-building process in the intra-Islamic dispute in Wa because religion promotes peace, tolerance, and mutual respect among all people and cultures. Religious institutions’ role in peace-building is now more than ever recognized as critical to the long-term survival of peace. Religious organizations such as the Catholic Church, the orthodox Muslim sect, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim mission have worked to promote peace during times of crisis (Malik,2000).
1.2 Problem statement
In Ghana, there have been a number of intra-Islamic clashes in recent years, which have resulted in violence.
There were deaths and property damage. Certain religious organizations and well-meaning Ghanaians have expressed interest in resolving the issue in light of the current surge of disputes in Ghanaian society, particularly in the north. It is critical that something be done to improve the situation and ensure that religion’s overarching goal of peace is not jeopardized. Intra-Islamic clashes have also shattered the peace in Wa, in the Upper West Region, resulting in the loss of lives and property, as well as family disintegration. Certain regional religious organizations, on the other hand, have been involved in efforts to maintain intra-Islamic harmony in Wa.
The achievement of this goal is thought to necessitate the full participation of all Islamic sects in Wa. In light of
In order to accomplish this, the researcher contacted various Islamic organizations as well as the Christian Muslim Dialogue Committee, both of which are involved in promoting peace in Wa’s intra-Islamic issues. This growing understanding of religion’s role in peacebuilding serves as the backdrop for this study, which looks at the positive contributions of faith-based actors to peacebuilding. The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of religious entities’ roles in Wa’s peace-building efforts.
1.3 Study Objective
The following are the study’s primary objectives:
1. To investigate the origins of intra-Islamic religious conflict in Wa
2. Determine the impact of intra-Islamic religious conflicts on the Wa people.
3. To identify the religious organizations involved in Wa’s peace-building efforts.
4. To learn about the measures put in place to ensure successful peacekeeping.
1.4 Research problem
This study is guided by the following research question:
1. What are the primary causes of Wa’s intra-Islamic religious conflict?
2. What are some of the consequences of intra-Islamic conflict on the Wa people?
3. Which religious organizations are interested in promoting peace in Wa?
4. What steps have been taken to ensure the success of Wa’s peace-building efforts?
1.5 Importance of Research
This study will be useful to a wide range of stakeholders concerned with social harmony, including the government, religious organizations, security agencies, and the general public. It will specifically uncover several relevant factors that appear to be impeding the ongoing maintenance.
Wa is a place of religious tolerance and peace. The findings of the study would supplement existing research on peace-building methods in Wa.
This research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this field and will serve as a resource for academics, researchers, and students interested in conducting future research on this or a related topic.
1.6 Field of study
This research looks into the causes of intra-Islamic religious conflict. It also seeks to ascertain the human consequences of intra-Islamic religious conflicts. Identifying the religious bodies involved in the peace-building process, and finally, determining what measures are in place to ensure successful peace-building. The people of Wa in Ghana will be the focus of this research.
1.7
Study limitations
The researchers faced financial constraints, insufficient materials, and a time constraint during the course of the study.
1.8 Terms Definition
Peace Building: Peace building is an activity aimed at resolving injustice nonviolently and changing the cultural and structural conditions that lead to deadly or destructive conflict.
Intra Conflict: This is a type of conflict that occurs between members of a group who share common goals, interests, or other distinguishing characteristics.