The Myth About The Ghanaian Being Naturally Peaceful: Tuobodom As A Food For Thought

It is extremely chilling and spine-numbing to learn that, the chieftaincy related tension that has hovered over Tuobodom has finally exploded into violence. What is even more shocking is the manner in which six lives (and counting) were lost. Peace and security watchers would tell you, it was a disaster waiting to happen. The question is, what has stakeholders including the State, done all these years to resolve the tension in the traditional area? I know several (high level) studies have been done to map out areas in Ghana that have the potential for violence.

I am part of a research team that has embarked on some of these studies. However, just like several other important studies that have remained on the shelves, these ones too have been left there to gather dust. Solid recommendations have been suggested by most of these studies on how to resolve these disputes. But, those who needed to take action have either shirked their responsibilities, or allowed things to unfold naturally in their own parochial interests. We cannot afford the luxury of allowing such disputes to fester into extreme violence, before we begin ‘funbling’ for short-term ‘fire service’ measures to end them.

The chieftaincy institution

I am one of those who think the chieftaincy institution remains very relevant and critical to the socio-cultural and economic development of our societies. With contemporary elitist politics giving us no room for hope, chieftaincy institution in Ghana still remain very dear to the heart of the Ghanaian. Some traditional areas and their paramount chiefs have managed to transform their chieftaincy institutions to levels that, governments can barely initiate development projects and programmes without involving them. Some chiefs stand tall amongst their peers. Regardless of the divisions and disputes that have marked their succession, they have succeeded in bringing nearly everybody (who matter) to buy into their philosophies.

It is however very poignant that, an institution of this stature would be responsible for the horrendous carnage we witnessed in Tuobodom. For Security and Development Policy Analysts, developments in Tuobodom are the tips of the iceberg. There are several other chieftaincy and related succession disputes gathering momentum to explode in our faces. In the mapping of conflicts in Ghana, a study has shown that, chieftaincy related disputes are on the rise. Despite the codification exercise spearheaded by the National Houses of Chiefs, there are still a number of succession disputes that have the potential to jeopardize the security and safety of these areas.

Proliferation of small arms and light weapons

Ghana is increasingly gaining traction as an origin and transit for the movement of illegal small arms and light weapons. With porous borders and increased sophistication of our craftsmen, it has become relatively easy to acquire guns without going through the needed legal processes. The security implications of such activities cannot be quantified. A person in possession of gun in an ‘awkward’ situation is unpredictable. Most of the violent conflicts in the sub-region have largely been sustained by the presence of these arms and ammunitions. The more these weapons find their ways into people’s hands, they more diminished our security and safety increasingly become. Even in the safety of our homes, we cannot tell what would happen.

I recall a recent story where two children were playing and one went to bring his father’s gun and shot the other, and stories of married couples have shot their partners on the slightest provocation. As for the activities of land guards, the least said about it, the better. The recent election related violence in the Talensi Bye-elections also points to things to come, when the needed measures are not taken.

The myth

Sometimes we get so over-simplistic in thinking that the Ghanaian is so naturally rational and peaceful, to the extent that, violence doesn’t come to him or her naturally. We however forget that, rational choice also means the need for self-preservation and protection. Any person, given an awkward and a threatening circumstance would do virtually anything to self-preserve. Let us therefore not delude ourselves into believing that, it is in the nature of the Ghanaian to ‘remain calm and unperturbed’ even when faced with life threatening circumstances. Even student psychologists would tell you, the mind is so unpredictable that, it would do practically anything to overcome any dangerous situation.

The Ghanaian is not markedly different from any other person. The need for self-preservation overrides every decision we make, when our lives are in danger. What happened in Rwanda, Kenya, Bosnia and some other areas is not any different from what is gradually emerging in our socio-cultural body politick. We seriously need to find ways of navigating around these issues before they become our greatest nemesis in ‘the road to prosperity’. We can’t continue to delude ourselves into believing ‘all is well’, when pockets of events surrounding us are pointing to different directions.

Inusah Mohammed Awall

Twitter hamdle: @Wagoooni