Indigenous Conflict Resolution and the Protection of Human Rights among the Talensi of Ghana

Abstract

Indigenous approaches to conflicts resolution in African societies provide appropriate fora and opportunities for members of the societies to process their disputes when they do arise. The indigenous approaches are structured and rooted on cultures and traditions of the societies in which they are applied. The Talensi traditional area has its indigenous approach based on its culture and tradition as well. However, there are concerns with regards to how indigenous approaches to conflict resolution recognize and respect the human rights of persons involved in the process. This paper examined how the Talensi indigenous conflict resolution approach recognizes and respects the human rights of the disputants. It was a qualitative research which employed the case study design. Two chiefs, three elders to chiefs’ councils and five disputants were purposively and conveniently selected as sample for the study. The instruments in terms of interview, focused group discussion and observation were used to gather data for the study. It emerged from the study that the various considered human rights (rights to life, non-discrimination, freedom of religion and belief and prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment) of disputants were recognized and respected to a large extent under the Talensi indigenous approach to conflict resolution. It was, therefore, recommended that the approach is replicated in other rural societies in Ghana so as to ensure the recognition and respect for disputants rights as many people in rural Ghana practically rely on indigenous approaches to process their disputes.