The politicisation of a chieftaincy conflict: the case of Dagbon, northern Ghana

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Periodical article

Title:	The politicisation of a chieftaincy conflict: the case of Dagbon, northern Ghana
Author:	Tonah, Steve
Year:	2012
Periodical:	Nordic Journal of African Studies (ISSN 1459-9465)
Volume:	21
Issue:	1
Pages:	1-20
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	Dagomba polity chieftaincy political conflicts succession
External link:	https://njas.fi/njas/article/view/177/168
Abstract:	This paper examines the chieftaincy succession conflict in Dagbon, Northern Ghana. It traces the history of the struggle for the kingship title between the two feuding clans, the Abudu and the Andani clans, and analyses in detail the clashes of March 2002 which resulted in the death of the incumbent king of Dagbon and several of his supporters. Using data and information gathered from key informant interviews and an analysis of newspaper and internet sources, the paper concludes that the conflict has been highly politicized because chiefs, royals and the educated elite in Dagbon have a tradition of being involved in national politics and have often used their influence in government to attain high traditional office. Furthermore, the desire of Ghana's two main political parties for electoral votes in the keenly contested elections has contributed to the politicization of the Dagbon conflict since the return to civilian rule in 1992. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]