Research on Humanities and Social Sciences www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1719 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2863 (Online) Vol.3, No.6, 2013 31 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Peacebuilding in the Bawku Traditional Area of Ghana: Failure or Success? Kaderi Noagah Bukari 1* Reginald Tang Guuroh 2 1. PhD candidate at the Zentrum fur Entwicklungsforschung, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn. 2. PhD candidate at the Institute of Geography, University of Bonn. Email: guuroh@yahoo.co.uk. *Email of corresponding author: bukarinoagah@yahoo.com. Abstract The role of CSOs in peace building is very unique since they are often seen by factions in conflicts as neutral and trustworthy. This paper is an empirical study which examines the roles of CSOs in the peace building process in the ethnic conflict in the Bawku Traditional Area of Ghana using views of 220 respondents. As part of this, the paper makes an assessment of CSOs’ role in peace building in the Bawku Traditional area. The findings in the paper reveals that despite the important role of CSOs in mediation and curbing the spate of violence in the area, they are seen by some factions in the conflict as bias and their approaches to peace are not effective. Key words: CSOs, NGOs, Bawku, Ghana, conflict, peace building, violence, role and assessment 1. Introduction Conflicts are inevitable in human life and existence and are a necessary part of life. Conflicts are necessary for change in human society since they help to build relationships in groups, establish a group’s identity, build internal cohesion in groups and can lead to balance of power in society as well as create new rules and laws (Coser, 1956). However, when conflicts are violent, and depending on the nature and type of intervention mechanisms used, they remain unresolved and can become protracted disrupting policy-making and development since attention is diverted from issues that will otherwise improve the lives of people to the conflict. Consequently, it is important to resolve violent conflicts to prevent these conflicts from diverting attention from issues of development. Historically, the first and second world wars resulted in massive destruction of property and human life and a decrease in levels of socio-economic development in poor nations and some developed countries (Blattman and Miguel, 2008). Violent conflicts pose serious threats to human security, peace, life, stability, social and economic activities; weakens institutions; breaks social cohesion; and causes humanitarian tragedies such as internal displacement, refugeeism and rape (Zeleza, 2008).Indeed, violent conflict is one main impediment to development because it can seriously hinder development efforts spilling over borders, reducing economic growth and prosperity (Ali, 2006). The examples of Bosnia, Burundi, Sudan and Somalia are worth noting as development in these states has been seriously curtailed because violent conflicts have endangered people’s lives and continue to worsen the poverty situation in these countries. In the West African sub-region, countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, La Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea have had violent conflicts with their devastating consequences on stability, political and social development of these states (Adetula, 2006). More than 250,000 lives were lost in Liberia and millions worth of infrastructure destroyed (Adetula, 2006). The resolution of violent conflicts in order to prevent their negative impact requires the support and involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) (Galadima, 2006; Konteh, 2006; Ramsbotham, Woodhouse and Miall 2007). Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) are very instrumental in the resolution of conflicts. Their role is particularly unique since they are often seen by factions in a conflict as very neutral and trustworthy (Irobi, 2005). They mediate to end conflicts, build capacity for peace processes, provide funds for peace activities and help in conflict prevention (Marchetti and Tocci, 2009). Even in the aftermath of violent conflict, CSOs help in post conflict reconstruction and reconciliation and brokering peace deals. In Africa, CSOs have helped and played complimentary roles with sub-regional organisations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) to end conflicts (Konteh, 2006). For instance, the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Mano River Union Peace Network (MARWOPNET), West African Network on Small Arms (WANSA), Women in Peace Network (WIPNET) among others have been active in mediation, reconciliation and post-conflict recovery in the woke of the conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau and Cote D’Ivoire (Konteh, 2006). Specifically, the almost fifteen year conflict in Liberia was resolved effectively through the active mediation efforts of CSOs together with ECOWAS which saw the peace agreement finally signed in Accra in 2003 and the formation of an all-inclusive transitional government (Iheme, 2006).