An Analysis of Conflicts in Ghana: The Case of Dagbon Chieftaincy by Abdul Karim Issifu akissifu@gmail.com MPhil Candidate, Institute for Development Studies, University of Cape Coast, Ghana Abstract The aim of this study is to analyse the dynamics of Dagbon chieftaincy conflict in northern Ghana and to examine how Rwandan’s Gacaca conflict resolution strategy could serve as a reference point for sustainable peace in Dagbon. Respondents and key informants including chiefs, police officers, teachers, District Assembly members and students served as the primary source of data for the study, and also, journals, articles, books, news files, internet publications, radio and newspaper reports served as secondary sources of data. Thus, the paper reveal that lack of justice, political interference, mistrust and the relegation of traditional conflict resolution methods are reasons why Dagbon conflict is protracted. Hence, it is recommended that for sustainable peace to be seen in Dagbon, traditional authority can learn from Rwandan’s traditional Gacaca conflict resolution system. Keywords: Dagbon, chieftaincy conflict, Abudu, Andani, northern Ghana Introduction Chieftaincy institution is founded on the principle of tradition; chieftaincy without reference to tradition seems an unimaginable concept (Nyaaba, 2009). Africans have great respect for the chieftaincy institution not because of its primordial features, but because of its contribution to community development. Chiefs before the advent of colonialism performed several functions towards not only sustainable community development, but also for security, law making, military, judicial, economic and social welfare functions. Chiefs were subservient in mobilising local people for community action. According to Odotei and Awedoba (2006), the chieftaincy institution in Africa is generally acknowledged as a pre-colonial institution of governance with judicial, legislative and executive powers. Odotei and Awedoba (2006) also reiterate that chiefs were instrumental in military, economic and religious matters in their areas of jurisdiction. 28 The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.8, no.6, September 2015