LAND CONFLICTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN AFRICA: AN EVIDENCE FROM DORIMON IN GHANA

Abstract

This study examined the implication of land conflicts on food security in the Dorimon Traditional Area of the Wa West District of Northern Ghana. The study used a phenomenological research design approach, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection and analysis. Primary data were sought from interviews with household heads, key informants and focus group discussions. Various methods were combined to sample a total of 221 respondents from eight communities and four institutions for the study. The study revealed the existence of numerous land conflicts in the area, prominent among them are the land boundary conflict between the Guse and Dontanga Clans, land ownership conflict between Guo-Nayiri and Guo-Katung Clans and that of land ownership conflict between Charile and Nyimbale communities. Other forms of land conflicts were user conflicts between neighbouring land users and some form of limited access due to discrimination against women and settlers. The main drivers of these land conflicts were greed and selfish interest by individuals, the lack of clear land boundaries between clans, rising population pressure and the weakening of traditional institutions. Meanwhile, the study revealed that 62 per cent of household in the Dorimon Traditional Area were food insecure. It was established that land conflicts affect food security negatively as it leads to low food production, loss of income, destruction of food systems, disruption of herbal health delivery and also depletion of food stalk as a result of sale of food staff in pursuit of conflicts. Customary system of conflict resolution is the most popular system of conflict resolution in the area. In order to improve on the efforts at managing land conflicts and also mitigating their effects on food security, it is recommended that; alternative source of livelihoods should be provided to the people, traditional institutions should be strengthened, land boundaries between clans or communities should clearly be defined, demarcated and documented and, also, there should be strong stakeholder collaboration in land administration.