Voices of disputants: Perspectives from Alavanyo on the Nkonya–Alavanyo conflict in Ghana.

Abstract

This article draws attention to the voices of disputants that remain overlooked and underappreciated in peace and conflict studies generally and in peacebuilding literature specifically. In doing so, I explore, from the perspective of the Alavanyos, the reasons for the intractability of the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict. Drawing on fieldwork interviews, phenomenologically generated in Alavanyo in 2019 and analyzed thematically, the study suggests that, in the eyes of the Alavanyos, the conflict persists due to (a) the Alavanyo's rejection of the court judgments, (b) the intransigence of the Nkonyas, (c) injustice suffered, (d) revenge, and (e) their desire to survive. Such an understanding helps in offering a holistic comprehension of this conflict in ways that enables us to effectively confront it. I argue that regardless of the direction of travel in confronting this conflict and related ones, we must actively listen to and pay all attention to the voices of disputants for whom and in whose interests these interventions are directed. Public Significance StatementThis study first, complements existing works on the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict in offering a holistic comprehension of the conflict. Second, it lays the grounds for rethinking and reconceptualizing the conflict in ways that have not been tried before. Third, by leveraging the local-local turn thinking, the study emphasizes the significance of incorporating the often-marginalized voices of disputants in attempts at building and sustaining peace not just among seemingly intractable communal conflicts but conflicts generally.